STAR WARS
Episode IV
A NEW HOPE
From the
JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS
by
George Lucas
Revised Fourth Draft
January 15, 1976
LUCASFILM LTD.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...
A vast sea of stars serves as the backdrop for the main title.
War drums echo through the heavens as a rollup slowly crawls
into infinity.
It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships,
striking from a hidden base, have won their first
victory against the evil Galactic Empire.
During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal
secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the
Death Star, an armored space station with enough
power to destroy an entire planet.
Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess
Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of
the stolen plans that can save her people and
restore freedom to the galaxy...
The awesome yellow planet of Tatooine emerges from a total
eclipse, her two moons glowing against the darkness. A tiny
silver spacecraft, a Rebel Blockade Runner firing lasers
from the back of the ship, races through space. It is pursed
by a giant Imperial Stardestroyer. Hundreds of deadly
laserbolts streak from the Imperial Stardestroyer, causing
the main solar fin of the Rebel craft to disintegrate.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
An explosion rocks the ship as two robots, Artoo-Detoo (R2-
D2) and See-Threepio (C-3PO) struggle to make their way
through the shaking, bouncing passageway. Both robots are
old and battered. Artoo is a short, claw-armed tripod. His
face is a mass of computer lights surrounding a radar eye.
Threepio, on the other hand, is a tall, slender robot of
human proportions. He has a gleaming bronze-like metallic
surface of an Art Deco design.
Another blast shakes them as they struggle along their way.
THREEPIO
Did you hear that? They've shut down
the main reactor. We'll be destroyed
for sure. This is madness!
Rebel troopers rush past the robots and take up positions in
the main passageway. They aim their weapons toward the door.
THREEPIO
We're doomed!
The little R2 unit makes a series of electronic sounds that
only another robot could understand.
THREEPIO
There'll be no escape for the Princess
this time.
Artoo continues making beeping sounds. Tension mounts as
loud metallic latches clank and the scream of heavy equipment
are heard moving around the outside hull of the ship.
THREEPIO
What's that?
EXT. SPACECRAFT IN SPACE
The Imperial craft has easily overtaken the Rebel Blockade
Runner. The smaller Rebel ship is being drawn into the
underside dock of the giant Imperial starship.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
The nervous Rebel troopers aim their weapons. Suddenly a
tremendous blast opens up a hole in the main passageway and
a score of fearsome armored spacesuited stormtroopers make
their way into the smoke-filled corridor.
In a few minutes the entire passageway is ablaze with
laserfire. The deadly bolts ricochet in wild random patterns
creating huge explosions. Stormtroopers scatter and duck
behind storage lockers. Laserbolts hit several Rebel soldiers
who scream and stagger through the smoke, holding shattered
arms and faces.
An explosion hits near the robots.
THREEPIO
I should have known better than to
trust the logic of a half-sized
thermocapsulary dehousing assister...
Artoo counters with an angry rebuttal as the battle rages
around the two hapless robots.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - DAY
A death-white wasteland stretches from horizon to horizon.
The tremendous heat of two huge twin suns settle on a lone
figure, Luke Skywalker, a farm boy with heroic aspirations
who looks much younger than his eighteen years. His shaggy
hair and baggy tunic give him the air of a simple but lovable
lad with a prize-winning smile.
A light wind whips at him as he adjusts several valves on a
large battered moisture vaporator which sticks out of the
desert floor much like an oil pipe with valves. He is aided
by a beatup tread-robot with six claw arms. The little robot
appears to be barely functioning and moves with jerky motions.
A bright sparkle in the morning sky catches Luke's eye and
he instinctively grabs a pair of electrobinoculars from his
utility belt. He stands transfixed for a few moments studying
the heavens, then dashed toward his dented, crudely repaired
Landspeeder (an auto-like transport that travels a few feet
above the ground on a magnetic-field). He motions for the
tiny robot to follow him.
LUKE
Hurry up! Come with me! What are you
waiting for?! Get in gear!
The robot scoots around in a tight circle, stops short, and
smoke begins to pour out of every joint. Luke throws his
arms up in disgust. Exasperated, the young farm boy jumps
into his Landspeeder leaving the smoldering robot to hum
madly.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - MAIN HALLWAY
The awesome, seven-foot-tall Dark Lord of the Sith makes his
way into the blinding light of the main passageway. This is
Darth Vader, right hand of the Emperor. His face is obscured
by his flowing black robes and grotesque breath mask, which
stands out next to the fascist white armored suits of the
Imperial stormtroopers. Everyone instinctively backs away
from the imposing warrior and a deathly quiet sweeps through
the Rebel troops. Several of the Rebel troops break and run
in a frenzied panic.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER
Threepio stands in a hallway, somewhat bewildered. Artoo is
nowhere in sight. The pitiful screams of the doomed Rebel
soldiers can be heard in the distance.
THREEPIO
Artoo! Artoo-Detoo, where are you?
A familiar clanking sound attacks Threepio's attention and
he spots little Artoo at the end of the hallway in a smoke-
filled alcove. A beautiful young girl (about sixteen years
old) stands in front of Artoo. Surreal and out of place,
dreamlike and half hidden in the smoke, she finishes adjusting
something on Artoo's computer face, then watches as the little
robot joins his companion.
THREEPIO
At last! Where have you been?
Stormtroopers can be heard battling in the distance.
THREEPIO
They're heading in this direction.
What are we going to do? We'll be
sent to the spice mine of Kessel or
smashed into who knows what!
Artoo scoots past his bronze friend and races down the
subhallway. Threepio chases after him.
THREEPIO
Wait a minute, where are you going?
Artoo responds with electronic beeps.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - CORRIDOR
The evil Darth Vader stands amid the broken and twisted bodies
of his foes. He grabs a wounded Rebel Officer by the neck as
an Imperial Officer rushes up to the Dark Lord.
IMPERIAL OFFICER
The Death Star plans are not in the
main computer.
Vader squeezes the neck of the Rebel Officer, who struggles
in vain.
VADER
Where are those transmissions you
intercepted?
Vader lifts the Rebel off his feet by his throat.
VADER
What have you done with those plans?
REBEL OFFICER
We intercepted no transmissions.
Aaah... This is a consular ship.
Were on a diplomatic mission.
VADER
If this is a consular ship... were
is the Ambassador?
The Rebel refuses to speak but eventually cries out as the
Dark Lord begins to squeeze the officer's throat, creating a
gruesome snapping and choking, until the soldier goes limp.
Vader tosses the dead soldier against the wall and turns to
his troops.
VADER
Commander, tear this ship apart until
you've found those plans and bring
me the Ambassador. I want her alive!
The stormtroopers scurry into the subhallways.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
The lovely young girl huddles in a small alcove as the
stormtroopers search through the ship. She is Princess Leia
Organa, a member of the Alderaan Senate. The fear in her
eyes slowly gives way to anger as the muted crushing sounds
of the approaching stormtroopers grow louder. One of the
troopers spots her.
TROOPER
There she is! Set for stun!
Leia steps from her hiding place and blasts a trooper with
her laser pistol. She starts to run but is felled by a
paralyzing ray. The troopers inspect her inert body.
TROOPER
She'll be all right. Inform Lord
Vader we have a prisoner.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - SUBHALLWAY
Artoo stops before the small hatch of an emergency lifepod.
He snaps the seal on the main latch and a red warning light
begins to flash. The stubby astro-robot works his way into
the cramped four-man pod.
THREEPIO
Hey, you're not permitted in there.
It's restricted. You'll be deactivated
for sure..
Artoo beeps something to him.
THREEPIO
Don't call me a mindless philosopher,
you overweight glob of grease! Now
come out before somebody sees you.
Artoo whistles something at his reluctant friend regarding
the mission he is about to perform.
THREEPIO
Secret mission? What plans? What are
you talking about? I'm not getting
in there!
Artoo isn't happy with Threepio's stubbornness, and he beeps
and twangs angrily.
A new explosion, this time very close, sends dust and debris
through the narrow subhallway. Flames lick at Threepio and,
after a flurry of electronic swearing from Artoo, the lanky
robot jumps into the lifepod.
THREEPIO
I'm going to regret this.
INT. IMPERIAL STARDESTROYER
On the main viewscreen, the lifepod carrying the two terrified
robots speeds away from the stricken Rebel spacecraft.
CHIEF PILOT
There goes another one.
CAPTAIN
Hold your fire. There are no life
forms. It must have been short-
circuited.
INT. LIFEPOD
Artoo and Threepio look out at the receding Imperial starship.
Stars circle as the pod rotates through the galaxy.
THREEPIO
That's funny, the damage doesn't
look as bad from out here.
Artoo beeps an assuring response.
THREEPIO
Are you sure this things safe?
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
Heat waves radiate from the dozen or so bleached white
buildings. Luke pilots his Landspeeder through the dusty
empty street of the tiny settlement. An old woman runs to
get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, shaking her fist
at Luke as he flies past.
WOMAN
I've told you kids to slow down!
INT. POWER STATION - DAY
Luke bursts into the power station, waking The Fixer, a rugged
mechanic and Camie, a sexy, disheveled girl who has been
asleep in his lap. They grumbled as he races through the
office, yelling wildly.
FIXER
Did I hear a young noise blast through
here?
CAMIE
It was just wormie on another rampage.
Luke bounces into a small room behind the office where Deak
and Windy, two tough boys about the same age as Luke, are
playing a computer pool-like game with Biggs, a burly,
handsome boy a few years older than the rest. His flashy
city attire is a sharp contrast to the loose-fitting tunics
of the farm boys. A robot repairs some equipment in the
background.
LUKE
Shape it up you guys!... Biggs?
Luke's surprise at the appearance of Biggs gives way to great
joy and emotion. They give each other a great bear hug.
LUKE
I didn't know you were back! When
did you get in?
BIGGS
Just now. I wanted to surprise you,
hot shot. I thought you'd be here...
certainly didn't expect you to be
out working.
(he laughs)
LUKE
The Academy didn't change you
much...but you're back so soon? Hey,
what happened, didn't you get your
commission?
Biggs has an air of cool that seems slightly phony.
BIGGS
Of course I got it. Signed aboard
The Rand Ecliptic last week. First
mate Biggs Darklighter at your
service...
(he salutes)
...I just came to say good-bye to
all you unfortunate landlocked
simpletons.
Everyone laughs. The dazzling spectacle of his dashing friend
is almost too much for Luke, but suddenly he snaps out of
it.
LUKE
I almost forgot. There's a battle
going on! Right here in our system.
Come and look!
DEAK
Not again! Forget it.
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD - SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION -
DAY
The group stumbles out into the stifling desert sun. Camie
and The Fixer complain and are forced to shade their eyes.
Luke has his binoculars out scanning the heavens.
LUKE
There they are!
Biggs takes the binoculars from Luke as the others strain to
see something with the naked eye. Through the binoculars
Biggs sees two small silver specks.
BIGGS
That's no battle, hot shot... they're
just sitting there! Probably a
freighter-tanker refueling.
LUKE
But there was a lot of firing
earlier...
Camie grabs the binoculars away banging them against the
building in the process. Luke grabs them.
LUKE
Hey, easy with those...
CAMIE
Don't worry about it, Wormie.
The Fixer gives Luke a hard look and the young farm boy shrugs
his shoulders in resignation.
FIXER
I keep telling you, the Rebellion is
a long way from here. I doubt if the
Empire would even fight to keep this
system. Believe me Luke, this planet
is a big hunk of nothing...
Luke agrees, although it's obvious he isn't sure why. The
group stumbles back into the power station, grumbling about
Luke's ineptitude.
INT. REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER - HALLWAY
Princess Leia is led down a low-ceilinged hallway by a squad
of armored stormtroopers. Her hands are bound and she is
brutally shoved when she is unable to keep up with the briskly
marching troops. They stop in a smoky hallway as Darth Vader
emerges from the shadows. The sinister Dark Lord stares hard
at the frail young senator, but she doesn't move.
LEIA
Lord Vader, I should have known.
Only you could be so bold. The
Imperial Senate will not sit for
this, when they hear you've attacked
a diplomatic...
VADER
Don't play games with me, Your
Highness. You weren't on any mercy
mission this time. You passed directly
through a restricted system. Several
transmissions were beamed to this
ship by Rebel spies. I want to know
what happened to the plans they sent
you.
LEIA
I don't know what you're talking
about. I'm a member of the Imperial
Senate on a diplomatic mission to
Alderaan...
VADER
You're a part of the Rebel Alliance...
and a traitor. Take her away!
Leia is marched away down the hallway and into the smoldering
hole blasted in the side of the ship. An Imperial Commander
turns to Vader.
COMMANDER
Holding her is dangerous. If word of
this gets out, it could generate
sympathy for the Rebellion in the
senate.
VADER
I have traced the Rebel spies to
her. Now she is my only link to find
their secret base!
COMMANDER
She'll die before she tells you
anything.
VADER
Leave that to me. Send a distress
signal and then inform the senate
that all aboard were killed!
Another Imperial Officer approaches Vader and the Commander.
They stop and snap to attention.
SECOND OFFICER
Lord Vader, the battle station plans
are not aboard this ship! And no
transmissions were made. An escape
pod was jettisoned during the
fighting, but no life forms were
aboard.
Vader turns to the Commander.
VADER
She must have hidden the plans in
the escape pod. Send a detachment
down to retrieve them. See to it
personally, Commander. There'll be
no one to stop us this time.
COMMANDER
Yes, sir.
EXT. SPACE
The Imperial Stardestroyer comes over the surface of the
planet Tatooine.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT
Jundland, or "No Man's Land", where the rugged desert mesas
meet the foreboding dune sea. The two helpless astro-droids
kick up clouds of sand as they leave the lifepod and clumsily
work their way across the desert wasteland. The lifepod in
the distance rests half buried in the sand.
THREEPIO
How did I get into this mess? I really
don't know how. We seem to be made
to suffer. It's our lot in life.
Artoo answers with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
I've got to rest before I fall apart.
My joints are almost frozen.
Artoo continues to respond with beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
What a desolate place this is.
Suddenly Artoo whistles, makes a sharp right turn and starts
off in the direction of the rocky desert mesas. Threepio
stops and yells at him.
THREEPIO
Where are you going?
A stream of electronic noises pours forth from the small
robot.
THREEPIO
Well, I'm not going that way. It's
much too rocky. This way is much
easier.
Artoo counters with a long whistle.
THREEPIO
What makes you think there are
settlements over there?
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
Don't get technical with me.
Artoo continues to make beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
What mission? What are you talking
about? I've had just about enough of
you! Go that way! You'll be
malfunctioning within a day, you
nearsighted scrap pile!
Threepio gives the little robot a kick and starts off in the
direction of the vast dune sea.
THREEPIO
And don't let me catch you following
me begging for help, because you
won't get it.
Artoo's reply is a rather rude sound. He turns and trudges
off in the direction of the towering mesas.
THREEPIO
No more adventures. I'm not going
that way.
Artoo beeps to himself as he makes his way toward the distant
mountains.
EXT. TATOOINE - DUNE SEA
Threepio, hot and tired, struggles up over the ridge of a
dune; only to find more dunes, which seem to go on for endless
miles. He looks back in the direction of the now distant
rock mesas.
THREEPIO
That malfunctioning little twerp.
This is all his fault! He tricked me
into going this way, but he'll do no
better.
In a huff of anger and frustration, Threepio knocks the sand
from his joints. His plight seems hopeless, when a glint of
reflected light in the distance reveals an object moving
towards him.
THREEPIO
Wait, what's that? A transport! I'm
saved!
The bronze android waves frantically and yells at the
approaching transport.
THREEPIO
Over here! Help! Please, help!
EXT. TATOOINE - ANCHORHEAD SETTLEMENT - POWER STATION - DAY
Luke and Biggs are walking and drinking a malt brew. Fixer
and the others can be heard working inside.
LUKE
(Very animated)
...so I cut off my power, shut down
the afterburners and came in low on
Deak's trail. I was so close I thought
I was going to fry my instruments.
As it was I busted up the Skyhopper
pretty bad. Uncle Owen was pretty
upset. He grounded me for the rest
of the season. You should have been
there... it was fantastic.
BIGGS
You ought to take it easy Luke. You
may be the hottest bushpilot this
side of Mos Eisley, but those little
Skyhoppers are dangerous. Keep it
up, and one day, whammo, you're going
to be nothing more than a dark spot
on the down side of a canyon wall.
LUKE
Look who's talking. Now that you've
been around those giant starships
you're beginning to sound like my
uncle. You've gotten soft in the
city...
BIGGS
I've missed you kid.
LUKE
Well, things haven't been the same
since you left, Biggs. It's been
so... quiet.
Biggs looks around then leans close to Luke.
BIGGS
Luke, I didn't come back just to say
good-bye... I shouldn't tell you
this, but you're the only one I can
trust... and if I don't come back, I
want somebody to know.
Luke's eyes are wide with Biggs' seriousness and loyalty.
LUKE
What are you talking about?
BIGGS
I made some friends at the Academy.
(he whispers)
...when our frigate goes to one of
the central systems, we're going to
jump ship and join the Alliance...
Luke, amazed and stunned, is almost speechless.
LUKE
Join the Rebellion?! Are you kidding!
How?
BIGGS
Quiet down will ya! You got a mouth
bigger than a meteor crater!
LUKE
I'm sorry. I'm quiet.
(he whispers)
Listen how quiet I am. You can barely
hear me...
Biggs shakes his head angrily and then continues.
BIGGS
My friend has a friend on Bestine
who might help us make contact.
LUKE
You're crazy! You could wander around
forever trying to find them.
BIGGS
I know it's a long shot, but if I
don't find them I'll do what I can
on my own... It's what we always
talked about. Luke, I'm not going to
wait for the Empire to draft me into
service. The Rebellion is spreading
and I want to be on the right side --
the side I believe in.
LUKE
And I'm stuck here...
BIGGS
I thought you were going to the
Academy next term. You'll get your
chance to get off this rock.
LUKE
Not likely! I had to cancel my
application. There has been a lot of
unrest among the Sandpeople since
you left... they've even raided the
outskirts of Anchorhead.
BIGGS
Your uncle could hold off a whole
colony of Sandpeople with one blaster.
LUKE
I know, but he's got enough vaporators
going to make the place pay off. He
needs me for just one more season. I
can't leave him now.
BIGGS
I feel for you, Luke, you're going
to have to learn what seems to be
important or what really is important.
What good is all your uncle's work
if it's taken over by the Empire?...
You know they're starting to
nationalize commerce in the central
systems... it won't be long before
your uncle is merely a tenant, slaving
for the greater glory of the Empire.
LUKE
It couldn't happen here. You said it
yourself. The Empire won't bother
with this rock.
BIGGS
Things always change.
LUKE
I wish I was going... Are you going
to be around long?
BIGGS
No, I'm leaving in the morning...
LUKE
Then I guess I won't see you.
BIGGS
Maybe someday... I'll keep a lookout.
LUKE
Well, I'll be at the Academy next
season... after that who knows. I
won't be drafted into the Imperial
Starfleet that's for sure... Take
care of yourself, you'll always be
the best friend I've got.
BIGGS
So long, Luke.
Biggs turns away from his old friend and heads towards the
power station.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SUNSET
The gargantuan rock formations are shrouded in a strange
foreboding mist and the onimous sounds of unearthly creatures
fill the air. Artoo moves cautiously through the creepy rock
canyon, inadvertently making a loud clicking noise as he
goes. He hears a distant, hard, metallic sound and stops for
a moment. Convinced he is alone, he continues on his way.
In the distance, a pebble tumbles down the steep canyon wall
and a small dark figure darts into the shadows. A little
further up the canyon a slight flicker of light reveals a
pair of eyes in the dark recesses only a few feet from the
narrow path.
The unsuspecting robot waddles along the rugged trail until
suddenly, out of nowhere, a powerful magnetic ray shoots out
of the rocks and engulfs him in an eerie glow. He manages
one short electronic squeak before he topples over onto his
back. His bright computer lights flicker off, then on, then
off again. Out of the rocks scurry three Jawas, no taller
than Artoo. They holster strange and complex weapons as they
cautiously approach the robot. They wear grubby cloaks and
their faces are shrouded so only their glowing eyes can be
seen. They hiss and make odd guttural sounds as they heave
the heavy robot onto their shoulders and carry him off down
the trail.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
The eight Jawas carry Artoo out of the canyon to a huge tank-
like vehicle the size of a four-story house. They weld a
small disk on the side of Artoo and then put him under a
large tube on the side of the vehicle and the little robot
is sucked into the giant machine.
The filthy little Jawas scurry like rats up small ladders
and enter the main cabin of the behemoth transport.
INT. SANDCRAWLER - HOLD AREA
It is dim inside the hold area of the Sandcrawler. Artoo
switches on a small floodlight on his forehead and stumbles
around the scrap heap. The narrow beam swings across rusty
metal rocket parts and an array of grotesquely twisted and
maimed astro-robots. He lets out a pathetic electronic whimper
and stumbles off toward what appears to be a door at the end
of the chamber.
INT. SANDCRAWLER - PRISON AREA
Artoo enters a wide room with a four-foot ceiling. In the
middle of the scrap heap sit a dozen or so robots of various
shapes and sizes. Some are engaged in electronic conversation,
while others simply mill about. A voice of recognition calls
out from the gloom.
THREEPIO
Artoo-Detoo! It's you! It's you!
A battered Threepio scrambles up to Artoo and embraces him.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - SANDCRAWLER - SUNSET
The enormous Sandcrawler lumbers off toward the magnificent
twin suns, which are slowly setting over a distant mountain
ridge.
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAY
Four Imperial stormtroopers mill about in front of the half-
buried lifepod that brought Artoo and Threepio to Tatooine.
A trooper yells to an officer some distance away.
FIRST TROOPER
Someone was in the pod. The tracks
go off in this direction.
A second trooper picks a small bit of metal out of the sand
and gives it to the first trooper.
SECOND TROOPER
Look, sir -- droids.
EXT. TATOOINE - DUNES
The Sandcrawler moves slowly down a great sand dune.
INT. SANDCRAWLER
Threepio and Artoo noisily bounce along inside the cramped
prison chamber. Artoo appears to be shut off.
THREEPIO
Wake up! Wake up!
Suddenly the shaking and bouncing of the Sandcrawler stops,
creating quite a commotion among the mechanical men.
Threepio's fist bangs the head of Artoo whose computer lights
pop on as he begins beeping. At the far end of the long
chamber a hatch opens, filling the chamber with blinding
white light. a dozen or so Jawas make their way through the
odd assortment of robots.
THREEPIO
We're doomed.
A Jawa starts moving toward them.
THREEPIO
Do you think they'll melt us down?
Artoo responds, making beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
Don't shoot! Don't shoot! Will this
never end?
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - LARS HOMESTEAD - AFTERNOON
The Jawas mutter gibberish as they busily line up their
battered captives, including Artoo and Threepio, in front of
the enormous Sandcrawler, which is parked beside a small
homestead consisting of three large holes in the ground
surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small
adobe block house.
The Jawas scurry around fussing over the robots, straightening
them up or brushing some dust from a dented metallic elbow.
The shrouded little creatures smell horribly, attracting
small insects to the dark areas when their mouths and nostrils
should be.
Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limps Owen Lars,
a large burly man in his mid-fifties. His reddish eyes are
sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully
inspects each robot, he is closely followed by his slump-
shouldered nephew, Luke Skywalker. One of the vile little
Jawas walks ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales
pitch in a queer, unintelligible language.
A voice calls out from one of the huge holes that form the
homestead. Luke goes over to the edge and sees his Aunt Beru
standing in the main courtyard.
BERU
Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a
translator to be sure it speaks Bocce.
LUKE
It looks like we don't have much of
a choice but I'll remind him.
Luke returns to his uncle as they look over the equipment
for sale with the Jawa leader.
OWEN
I have no need for a protocol droid.
THREEPIO
(quickly)
Sir -- not in an environment such as
this -- that's why I've also been
programmed for over thirty secondary
functions that...
OWEN
What I really need is a droid that
understands the binary language of
moisture vaporators.
THREEPIO
Vaporators! Sir -- My first job was
programming binary load lifter...
very similar to your vaporators. You
could say...
OWEN
Do you speak Bocce?
THREEPIO
Of course I can, sir. It's like a
second language for me... I'm as
fluent in Bocce...
OWEN
All right shut up!
(turning to Jawa)
I'll take this one.
THREEPIO
Shutting up, sir.
OWEN
Luke, take these two over to the
garage, will you? I want you to have
both of them cleaned up before dinner.
LUKE
But I was going into Toshi Station
to pick up some power converters...
OWEN
You can waste time with your friends
when your chores are done. Now come
on, get to it!
LUKE
All right, come on! And the red one,
come on. Well, come on, Red, let's
go.
As the Jawas start to lead the three remaining robots back
into the Sandcrawler, Artoo lets out a pathetic little beep
and starts after his old friend Threepio. He is restrained
by a slimy Jawa, who zaps him with a control box.
Owen is negotiating with the head Jawa. Luke and the two
robots start off for the garage when a plate pops off the
head of the red astro-droid's head plate and it sparks wildly.
LUKE
Uncle Owen...
OWEN
Yeah?
LUKE
This R2 unit has a bad motivator.
Look!
OWEN
(to the head Jawa)
Hey, what're you trying to push on
us?
The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, Artoo has sneaked
out of line and is moving up and down trying to attract
attention. He lets out with a low whistle. Threepio taps
Luke on the shoulder.
THREEPIO
(pointing to Artoo)
Excuse me, sir, but that R2 unit is
in prime condition. A real bargain.
LUKE
Uncle Owen...
OWEN
Yeah?
LUKE
What about that one?
OWEN
(to Jawa)
What about that blue one? We'll take
that one.
With a little reluctance the scruffy dwarf trades the damaged
astro-droid for Artoo.
LUKE
Yeah, take it away.
THREEPIO
Uh, I'm quite sure you'll be very
pleased with that one, sir. He really
is in first-class condition. I've
worked with him before. Here he comes.
Owen pays off the whining Jawa as Luke and the two robots
trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.
LUKE
Okay, let's go.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Now, don't you forget this! Why I
should stick my neck out for you is
quite beyond my capacity!
INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE AREA - LATE AFTERNOON
The garage is cluttered and worn, but a friendly peaceful
atmosphere permeates the low grey chamber. Threepio lowers
himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the
battered Landspeeder little Artoo rests on a large battery
with a cord to his face.
THREEPIO
Thank the maker! This oil bath is
going to feel so good. I've got such
a bad case of dust contamination, I
can barely move!
Artoo beeps a muffled reply. Luke seems to be lost in thought
as he runs his hand over the damaged fin of a small two-man
Skyhopper spaceship resting in a low hangar off the garage.
Finally Luke's frustrations get the better of him and he
slams a wrench across the workbench.
LUKE
It just isn't fair. Oh, Biggs is
right. I'm never gonna get out of
here!
THREEPIO
Is there anything I might do to help?
Luke glances at the battered robot. A bit of his anger drains
and a tiny smile creeps across his face.
LUKE
Well, not unless you can alter time,
speed up the harvest, or teleport me
off this rock!
THREEPIO
I don't think so, sir. I'm only a
droid and not very knowledgeable
about such things. Not on this planet,
anyways. As a matter of fact, I'm
not even sure which planet I'm on.
LUKE
Well, if there's a bright center to
the universe, you're on the planet
that it's farthest from.
THREEPIO
I see, sir.
LUKE
Uh, you can call me Luke.
THREEPIO
I see, sir Luke.
LUKE
(laughing)
Just Luke.
THREEPIO
And I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg
relations, and this is my counterpart,
Artoo-Detoo.
LUKE
Hello.
Artoo beeps in response. Luke unplugs Artoo and begins to
scrape several connectors on the robot's head with a chrome
pick. Threepio climbs out of the oil tub and begins wiping
oil from his bronze body.
LUKE
You got a lot of carbon scoring here.
It looks like you boys have seen a
lot of action.
THREEPIO
With all we've been through, sometimes
I'm amazed we're in as good condition
as we are, what with the Rebellion
and all.
LUKE
You know of the Rebellion against
the Empire?
THREEPIO
That's how we came to be in your
service, if you take my meaning,
sir.
LUKE
Have you been in many battles?
THREEPIO
Several, I think. Actually, there's
not much to tell. I'm not much more
than an interpreter, and not very
good at telling stories. Well, not
at making them interesting, anyways.
Luke struggles to remove a small metal fragment from Artoo's
neck joint. He uses a larger pick.
LUKE
Well, my little friend, you've got
something jammed in here real good.
Were you on a cruiser or...
The fragment breaks loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling
head over heels. He sits up and sees a twelve-inch three-
dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Rebel senator, being
projected from the face of little Artoo. The image is a
rainbow of colors as it flickers and jiggles in the dimly
lit garage. Luke's mouth hangs open in awe.
LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my
only hope.
LUKE
What's this?
Artoo looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer for Threepio
to translate. Leia continues to repeat the sentence fragment
over and over.
THREEPIO
What is what?!? He asked you a
question...
(pointing to Leia)
What is that?
Artoo whistles his surprise as he pretends to just notice
the hologram. He looks around and sheepishly beeps an answer
for Threepio to translate. Leia continues to repeat the
sentence fragment over and over.
LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my
only hope. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
You're my only hope.
THREEPIO
Oh, he says it's nothing, sir. Merely
a malfunction. Old data. Pay it no
mind.
Luke becomes intrigued by the beautiful girl.
LUKE
Who is she? She's beautiful.
THREEPIO
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
LEIA
Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi...
THREEPIO
I think she was a passenger on our
last voyage. A person of some
importance, sir -- I believe. Our
captain was attached to...
LUKE
Is there more to this recording?
Luke reaches out for Artoo but he lets out several frantic
squeaks and a whistle.
THREEPIO
Behave yourself, Artoo. You're going
to get us in trouble. It's all right,
you can trust him. He's our new
master.
Artoo whistles and beeps a long message to Threepio.
THREEPIO
He says he's the property of Obi-Wan
Kenobi, a resident of these parts.
And it's a private message for him.
Quite frankly, sir I don't know what
he's talking about. Our last master
was Captain Antilles, but with what
we've been through, this little R2
unit has become a bit eccentric.
LUKE
Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means
old Ben Kenobi?
THREEPIO
I beg your pardon, sir, but do you
know what he's talking about?
LUKE
Well, I don't know anyone named Obi-
Wan, but old Ben lives out beyond
the dune sea. He's kind of a strange
old hermit.
Luke's gazes at the beautiful young princess for a few
moments.
LUKE
I wonder who she is. It sounds like
she's in trouble. I'd better play
back the whole thing.
Artoo beeps something to Threepio.
THREEPIO
He says the restraining bolt has
short circuited his recording system.
He suggests that if you remove the
bolt, he might be able to play back
the entire recording.
Luke looks longingly at the lovely, little princess and hasn't
really heard what Threepio has been saying.
LUKE
H'm? Oh, yeah, well, I guess you're
too small to run away on me if I
take this off! Okay.
Luke takes a wedged bar and pops the restraining bolt off
Artoo's side.
LUKE
There you go.
The princess immediately disappears...
LUKE
Well, wait a minute. Where'd she go?
Bring her back! Play back the entire
message.
Artoo beeps an innocent reply as Threepio sits up in
embarrassment.
THREEPIO
What message? The one you're carrying
inside your rusty innards!
A women's voice calls out from another room.
AUNT BERU
Luke? Luke! Come to dinner!
Luke stands up and shakes his head at the malfunctioning
robot.
LUKE
All right, I'll be right there, Aunt
Beru.
THREEPIO
I'm sorry, sir, but he appears to
have picked up a slight flutter.
Luke tosses Artoo's restraining bolt on the workbench and
hurries out of the room.
LUKE
Well, see what you can do with him.
I'll be right back.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Just you reconsider playing that
message for him.
Artoo beeps in response.
THREEPIO
No, I don't think he likes you at
all.
Artoo beeps.
THREEPIO
No, I don't like you either.
INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - DINING AREA
Luke's Aunt Beru, a warm, motherly woman, fills a pitcher
with blue fluid from a refrigerated container in the well-
used kitchen. She puts the pitcher on a tray with some bowls
of food and starts for the dining area.
Luke sits with his Uncle Owen before a table covered with
steaming bowls of food as Aunt Beru carries in a bowl of red
grain.
LUKE
You know, I think that R2 unit we
bought might have been stolen.
OWEN
What makes you think that?
LUKE
Well, I stumbled across a recording
while I was cleaning him. He says he
belongs to someone called Obi-Wan
Kenobi.
Owen is greatly alarmed at the mention of his name, but
manages to control himself.
LUKE
I thought he might have meant old
Ben. Do you know what he's talking
about? Well, I wonder if he's related
to Ben.
Owen breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger.
OWEN
That old man's just a crazy old
wizard. Tomorrow I want you to take
that R2 unit into Anchorhead and
have its memory flushed. That'll be
the end of it. It belongs to us now.
LUKE
But what if this Obi-Wan comes looking
for him?
OWEN
He won't, I don't think he exists
any more. He died about the same
time as your father.
LUKE
He knew my father?
OWEN
I told you to forget it. Your only
concern is to prepare the new droids
for tomorrow. In the morning I want
them on the south ridge working out
those condensers.
LUKE
Yes, sir. I think those new droids
are going to work out fine. In fact,
I, uh, was also thinking about our
agreement about my staying on another
season. And if these new droids do
work out, I want to transmit my
application to the Academy this year.
Owen's face becomes a scowl, although he tries to suppress
it.
OWEN
You mean the next semester before
harvest?
LUKE
Sure, there're more than enough
droids.
OWEN
Harvest is when I need you the most.
Only one more season. This year we'll
make enough on the harvest so I'll
be able to hire some more hands. And
then you can go to the Academy next
year.
Luke continues to toy with his food, not looking at his uncle.
OWEN
You must understand I need you here,
Luke.
LUKE
But it's a whole 'nother year.
OWEN
Look, it's only one more season.
Luke pushes his half-eaten plate of food aside and stands.
LUKE
Yeah, that's what you said last year
when Biggs and Tank left.
AUNT BERU
Where are you going?
LUKE
It looks like I'm going nowhere. I
have to finish cleaning those droids.
Resigned to his fate, Luke paddles out of the room. Owen
mechanically finishes his dinner.
AUNT BERU
Owen, he can't stay here forever.
Most of his friends have gone. It
means so much to him.
OWEN
I'll make it up to him next year. I
promise.
AUNT BERU
Luke's just not a farmer, Owen. He
has too much of his father in him.
OWEN
That's what I'm afraid of.
EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
The giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind a
distant dune range. Luke stands watching them for a few
moments, then reluctantly enters the doomed entrance to the
homestead.
INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - GARAGE
Luke enters the garage to discover the robots nowhere in
sight. He takes a small control box from his utility belt
similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activates the
box, which creates a low hum, and Threepio, letting out a
short yell, pops up from behind the Skyhopper spaceship.
LUKE
What are you doing hiding there?
Threepio stumbles forward, but Artoo is still nowhere in
sight.
THREEPIO
It wasn't my fault, sir. Please don't
deactivate me. I told him not to go,
but he's faulty, malfunctioning;
kept babbling on about his mission.
LUKE
Oh, no!
Luke races out of the garage followed by Threepio.
EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
Luke rushes out of the small doomed entry to the homestead
and searches the darkening horizon for the small triped astro-
robot. Threepio struggles out of the homestead and on the
salt flat as Luke scans the landscape with his
electrobinoculars.
THREEPIO
That R2 unit has always been a
problem. These astro-droids are
getting quite out of hand. Even I
can't understand their logic at times.
LUKE
How could I be so stupid? He's nowhere
in sight. Blast it!
THREEPIO
Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go
after him?
LUKE
It's too dangerous with all the
Sandpeople around. We'll have to
wait until morning.
Owen yells up from the homestead plaza.
OWEN
Luke, I'm shutting the power down
for the night.
LUKE
All right, I'll be there in a few
minutes. Boy, am I gonna get it.
He takes one final look across the dim horizon.
LUKE
You know that little droid is going
to cause me a lot of trouble.
THREEPIO
Oh, he excels at that, sir.
INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - PLAZA
Morning slowly creeps into the sparse but sparkling oasis of
the open courtyard. The idyll is broken be the yelling of
Uncle Owen, his voice echoing throughout the homestead.
OWEN
Luke? Luke? Luke? Where could he be
loafing now!
INT. LARS HOMESTEAD - KITCHEN
The interior of the kitchen is a worm glow as Aunt Beru
prepares the morning breakfast. Owen enters in a huff.
OWEN
Have you seen Luke this morning?
AUNT BERU
He said he had some things to do
before he started today, so he left
early.
OWEN
Uh? Did he take those two new droids
with him?
AUNT BERU
I think so.
OWEN
Well, he'd better have those units
in the south range repaired be midday
or there'll be hell to pay!
EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT WASTELAND - LUKE'S SPEEDER - DAY
The rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur as Threepio
pilots the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast
wasteland.
INT./EXT. LUKE'S SPEEDER - DESERT WASTELAND - TRAVELING -
DAY
Luke leans over the back of the speeder and adjusts something
in the motor compartment.
LUKE
(yelling)
How's that.
Threepio signals that is fine and Luke turns back into the
wind-whipped cockpit and pops the canopy shut.
LUKE
Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this
direction somewhere, but I don't see
how that R2 unit could have come
this far. We must have missed him.
Uncle Owen isn't going to take this
very well.
THREEPIO
Sir, would it help if you told him
it was my fault.
LUKE
(brightening)
Sure. He needs you. He'd probably
only deactivate you for a day or
so...
THREEPIO
Deactivate! Well, on the other hand
if you hadn't removed his restraining
bolt...
LUKE
Wait, there's something dead ahead
on the scanner. It looks like our
droid... hit the accelerator.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - DUNE SEA - COASTLINE - DAY
From high on a rock mesa, the tiny Landspeeder can be seen
gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly in the foreground
two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert
cloaks peer over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the
marginally human creatures raises a long ominous laser rifle
and points it at the speeder but the second creature grabs
the gun before it can be fired.
The Sandpeople, or Tusken Raiders as they're sometimes called,
speak in a coarse barbaric language as they get into an
animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seems to get in
the final word and the nomads scurry over the rocky terrain.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK MESA - CANYON
The Tusken Raider approaches two large Banthas standing tied
to a rock. The monstrous, bear-like creatures are as large
as elephants, with huge red eyes, tremendous looped horns,
and long, furry, dinosaur-like tails. The Tusken Raiders
mount saddles strapped to the huge creatures' shaggy backs
and ride off down the rugged bluff.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR
The speeder is parked on the floor of a massive canyon. Luke,
with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stands
before little Artoo.
LUKE
Hey, whoa, just where do you think
you're going?
The little droid whistles a feeble reply, as Threepio poses
menacingly behind the little runaway.
THREEPIO
Master Luke here is your rightful
owner. We'll have no more of this
Obi-Wan Kenobi jibberish... and don't
talk to me about your mission, either.
You're fortunate he doesn't blast
you into a million pieces right here.
LUKE
Well, come on. It's getting late. I
only hope we can get back before
Uncle Owen really blows up.
THREEPIO
If you don't mind my saying so, sir,
I think you should deactivate the
little fugitive until you've gotten
him back to your workshop.
LUKE
No, he's not going to try anything.
Suddenly the little robot jumps to life with a mass of frantic
whistles and screams.
LUKE
What's wrong with him now?
THREEPIO
Oh my... sir, he says there are
several creatures approaching from
the southeast.
Luke swings his rifle into position and looks to the south.
LUKE
Sandpeople! Or worst! Come on, let's
have a look. Come on.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - RIDGE - DAY
Luke carefully makes his way to the top of a rock ridge and
scans the canyon with his electrobinoculars. He spots the
two riderless Banthas. Threepio struggles up behind the young
adventurer.
LUKE
There are two Banthas down there but
I don't see any... wait a second,
they're Sandpeople all right. I can
see one of them now.
Luke watches the distant Tusken Raider through his
electrobinoculars. Suddenly something huge moves in front of
his field of view. Before Luke or Threepio can react, a large,
gruesome Tusken Raider looms over them. Threepio is startled
and backs away, right off the side if the cliff. He can be
heard for several moments as he clangs, bangs and rattles
down the side of the mountain.
The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed
gaderffii -- the dreaded axe blade that has struck terror in
the heart of the local settlers. But Luke manages to block
the blow with his laser rifle, which is smashed to pieces.
The terrified farm boy scrambles backward until he is forced
to the edge of a deep crevice. The sinister Raider stands
over him with his weapon raised and lets out a horrible
shrieking laugh.
EXT. TATOOINE - ROCK CANYON - FLOOR - DAY
Artoo forces himself into the shadows of a small alcove in
the rocks as the vicious Sandpeople walk past carrying the
inert Luke Skywalker, who is dropped in a heap before the
speeder. The Sandpeople ransack the speeder, throwing parts
and supplies in all directions. Suddenly they stop. Then
everything is quiet for a few moments. A great howling moan
is heard echoing throughout the canyon which sends the
Sandpeople fleeing in terror.
Artoo moves even tighter into the shadows as the slight
swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grows even
closer, until a shabby old desert-rat-of-a-man appears and
leans over Luke. His ancient leathery face, cracked and
weathered by exotic climates is set off by dark, penetrating
eyes and a scraggly white beard. Ben Kenobi squints his eyes
as he scrutinizes the unconscious farm boy. Artoo makes a
slight sound and Ben turns and looks right at him.
BEN
Hello there! Come here my little
friend. Don't be afraid.
Artoo waddles over to were Luke lies crumpled in a heap and
begins to whistle and beep his concern. Ben puts his hand on
Luke's forehead and he begins to come around.
BEN
Don't worry, he'll be all right.
LUKE
What happened?
BEN
Rest easy, son, you've had a busy
day. You're fortunate you're still
in one piece.
LUKE
Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to
see you!
BEN
The Jundland wastes are not to be
traveled lightly. Tell me young Luke,
what brings you out this far?
LUKE
Oh, this little droid! I think he's
searching for his former master...
I've never seen such devotion in a
droid before... there seems to be no
stopping him. He claims to be the
property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he
a relative of yours? Do you know who
he's talking about?
Ben ponders this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard.
BEN
Obi-Wan Kenobi... Obi-Wan? Now thats
a name I haven't heard in a long
time... a long time.
LUKE
I think my uncle knew him. He said
he was dead.
BEN
Oh, he's not dead, not... not yet.
LUKE
You know him!
BEN
Well of course, of course I know
him. He's me! I haven't gone by the
name Obi-Wan since oh, before you
were born.
LUKE
Then the droid does belong to you.
BEN
Don't seem to remember ever owning a
droid. Very interesting...
He suddenly looks up at the overhanging cliffs.
BEN
I think we better get indoors. The
Sandpeople are easily startled but
they will soon be back and in greater
numbers.
Luke sits up and rubs his head. Artoo lets out a pathetic
beep causing Luke to remember something. He looks around.
LUKE
Threepio!
EXT. TATOOINE - SAND PIT - ROCK MESA - DAY
Little Artoo stands at the edge of a large sand pit and begins
to chatter away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke and
Ben stand over a very dented and tangled Threepio lying half
buried in the sand. One of his arms has broken off.
Luke tries to revive the inert robot by shaking him and then
flips a hidden switch on his back several times until finally
the mechanical man's systems turn on.
THREEPIO
Where am I? I must have taken a bad
step...
LUKE
Can you stand? We've got to get out
of here before the Sandpeople return.
THREEPIO
I don't think I can make it. You go
on, Master Luke. There's no sense in
you risking yourself on my account.
I'm done for.
Artoo makes a beeping sound.
LUKE
No, you're not. What kind of talk is
that?
Luke and Ben help the battered robot to his feet. Little
Artoo watches from the top of the pit. Ben glances around
suspiciously. Sensing something, he stands up and sniffs the
air.
BEN
Quickly, son... they're on the move.
INT. KENOBI'S DWELLING
The small, spartan hovel is cluttered with desert junk but
still manages to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and
security. Luke is in one corner repairing Threepio's arm, as
old Ben sits thinking.
LUKE
No, my father didn't fight in the
wars. He was a navigator on a spice
freighter.
BEN
That's what your uncle told you. He
didn't hold with your father's ideals.
Thought he should have stayed here
and not gotten involved.
LUKE
You fought in the Clone Wars?
BEN
Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the
same as your father.
LUKE
I wish I'd known him.
BEN
He was the best star-pilot in the
galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I
understand you've become quite a
good pilot yourself. And he was a
good friend. Which reminds me...
Ben gets up and goes to a chest where he rummages around.
As Luke finishes repairing Threepio and starts to fit the
restraining bolt back on, Threepio looks at him nervously.
Luke thinks about the bolt for a moment then puts it on the
table. Ben shuffles up and presents Luke with a short handle
with several electronic gadgets attached to it.
BEN
I have something here for you. Your
father wanted you to have this when
you were old enough, but your uncle
wouldn't allow it. He feared you
might follow old Obi-Wan on some
damned-fool idealistic crusade like
your father did.
THREEPIO
Sir, if you'll not be needing me,
I'll close down for awhile.
LUKE
Sure, go ahead.
Ben hands Luke the saber.
LUKE
What is it?
BEN
Your fathers lightsaber. This is the
weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy
or as random as a blaster.
Luke pushes a button on the handle. A long beam shoots out
about four feet and flickers there. The light plays across
the ceiling.
BEN
An elegant weapon for a more civilized
time. For over a thousand generations
the Jedi Knights were the guardians
of peace and justice in the Old
Republic. Before the dark times,
before the Empire.
Luke hasn't really been listening.
LUKE
How did my father die?
BEN
A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who
was a pupil of mine until he turned
to evil, helped the Empire hunt down
and destroy the Jedi Knights. He
betrayed and murdered your father.
Now the Jedi are all but extinct.
Vader was seduced by the dark side
of the Force.
LUKE
The Force?
BEN
Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi
his power. It's an energy field
created by all living things. It
surrounds us and penetrates us. It
binds the galaxy together.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
BEN
Now, let's see if we can't figure
out what you are, my little friend.
And where you come from.
LUKE
I saw part of the message he was...
Luke is cut short as the recorded image of the beautiful
young Rebel princess is projected from Artoo's face.
BEN
I seem to have found it.
Luke stops his work as the lovely girl's image flickers before
his eyes.
LEIA
General Kenobi, years ago you served
my father in the Clone Wars. Now he
begs you to help him in his struggle
against the Empire. I regret that I
am unable to present my father's
request to you in person, but my
ship has fallen under attack and I'm
afraid my mission to bring you to
Alderaan has failed. I have placed
information vital to the survival of
the Rebellion into the memory systems
of this R2 unit. My father will know
how to retrieve it. You must see
this droid safely delivered to him
on Alderaan. This is our most
desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan
Kenobi, you're my only hope.
There is a little static and the transmission is cut short.
Old Ben leans back and scratches his head. He silently puffs
on a tarnished chrome water pipe. Luke has stars in his eyes.
BEN
You must learn the ways of the Force
if you're to come with me to Alderaan.
LUKE
(laughing)
Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan.
I've got to go home. It's late, I'm
in for it as it is.
BEN
I need your help, Luke. She needs
your help. I'm getting too old for
this sort of thing.
LUKE
I can't get involved! I've got work
to do! It's not that I like the
Empire. I hate it! But there's nothing
I can do about it right now. It's
such a long way from here.
BEN
That's your uncle talking.
LUKE
(sighing)
Oh, God, my uncle. How am I ever
going to explain this?
BEN
Learn about the Force, Luke.
LUKE
Look, I can take you as far as
Anchorhead. You can get a transport
there to Mos Eisley or wherever you're
going.
BEN
You must do what you feel is right,
of course.
EXT. SPACE.
An Imperial Stardestroyer heads toward the evil planet-like
battle station: the Death Star!
INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
the room. Commander Tagge, a young, slimy-looking general,
is speaking.
TAGGE
Until this battle station is fully
operational we are vulnerable. The
Rebel Alliance is too well equipped.
They're more dangerous than you
realize.
The bitter Admiral Motti twists nervously in his chair.
MOTTI
Dangerous to your starfleet,
Commander, not to this battle station!
TAGGE
The Rebellion will continue to gain
a support in the Imperial Senate as
long as....
Suddenly all heads turn as Commander Tagge's speech is cut
short and the Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and
bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his
place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind
him.
TARKIN
The Imperial Senate will no longer
be of any concern to us. I've just
received word that the Emperor has
dissolved the council permanently.
The last remnants of the Old Republic
have been swept away.
TAGGE
That's impossible! How will the
Emperor maintain control without the
bureaucracy?
TARKIN
The regional governors now have direct
control over territories. Fear will
keep the local systems in line. Fear
of this battle station.
TAGGE
And what of the Rebellion? If the
Rebels have obtained a complete
technical readout of this station,
it is possible, however unlikely,
that they might find a weakness and
exploit it.
VADER
The plans you refer to will soon be
back in our hands.
MOTTI
Any attack made by the Rebels against
this station would be a useless
gesture, no matter what technical
data they've obtained. This station
is now the ultimate power in the
universe. I suggest we use it!
VADER
Don't be too proud of this
technological terror you've
constructed. The ability to destroy
a planet is insignificant next to
the power of the Force.
MOTTI
Don't try to frighten us with your
sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader. Your
sad devotion to that ancient religion
has not helped you conjure up the
stolen data tapes, or given you
clairvoyance enough to find the
Rebel's hidden fort...
Suddenly Motti chokes and starts to turn blue under Vader's
spell.
VADER
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
TARKIN
Enough of this! Vader, release him!
VADER
As you wish.
TARKIN
This bickering is pointless. Lord
Vader will provide us with the
location of the Rebel fortress by
the time this station is operational.
We will then crush the Rebellion
with one swift stroke.
EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
The speeder stops before what remains of the huge Jawas
Sandcrawler. Luke and Ben walk among the smoldering rubble
and scattered bodies.
LUKE
It looks like Sandpeople did this,
all right. Look, here are Gaffi
sticks, Bantha tracks. It's just...
I never heard of them hitting anything
this big before.
Ben is crouching in the sand studying the tracks.
BEN
They didn't. But we are meant to
think they did. These tracks are
side by side. Sandpeople always ride
single file to hide there numbers.
LUKE
These are the same Jawas that sold
us Artoo and Threepio.
BEN
And these blast points, too accurate
for Sandpeople. Only Imperial
stormtroopers are so precise.
LUKE
Why would Imperial troops want to
slaughter Jawas?
Luke looks back at the speeder where Artoo and Threepio are
inspecting the dead Jawas, and put two and two together.
LUKE
If they traced the robots here, they
may have learned who they sold them
to. And that would lead them home!
Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for
the speeder and jumps it.
BEN
Wait, Luke! It's too dangerous.
Luke races off leaving Ben and the two robots alone with the
burning Sandcrawler.
EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
Luke races across the wasteland in his battered Landspeeder.
EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD
The speeder roars up to the burning homestead. Luke jumps
out and runs to the smoking holes that were once his home.
Debris is scattered everywhere and it looks as if a great
battle has taken place.
LUKE
Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!
Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle.
Suddenly he comes upon their smoldering remains. He is
stunned, and cannot speak. Hate replaces fear and a new
resolve comes over him.
EXT. SPACE
Imperial TIE fighter races toward the Death Star.
INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR
Two stormtroopers open an electronic cell door and allow
several Imperial guards to enter. Princess Leia's face is
filled with defiance, which slowly gives way to fear as a
giant black torture robot enters, followed by Darth Vader.
VADER
And, now Your Highness, we will
discuss the location of your hidden
Rebel base.
The torture robot gives off a steady beeping sound as it
approaches Princess Leia and extends one of its mechanical
arms bearing a large hypodermic needle. The door slides shut
and the long cell block hallway appears peaceful. The muffled
screams of the Rebel princess are barely heard.
EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
There is a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazing in front of
the Sandcrawler as Ben and the robots finish burning the
dead. Luke drives up in the speeder and Ben walks over to
him.
BEN
There's nothing you could have done,
Luke, had you been there. You'd have
been killed, too, and the droids
would be in the hands of the Empire.
LUKE
I want to come with you to Alderaan.
There's nothing here for me now. I
want to learn the ways of the Force
and become a Jedi like my father.
EXT. TATOOINE - WASTELAND
The Landspeeder with Luke, Artoo, Threepio, and Ben in it
zooms across the desert. The speeder stops on a bluff
overlooking the spaceport at Mos Eisley. It is a haphazard
array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A
harsh gale blows across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusts
his goggles and walks to the edge of the craggy bluff where
Ben is standing.
BEN
Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never
find a more wretched hive of scum
and villainy. We must be cautious.
Ben looks over at Luke, who gives the old Jedi a determined
smile.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
The speeder is stopped on a crowded street by several combat-
hardend stormtroopers who look over the two robots. A Trooper
questions Luke.
TROOPER
How long have you had these droids?
LUKE
About three or four seasons.
BEN
They're for sale if you want them.
TROOPER
Let me see your identification.
Luke becomes very nervous as he fumbles to find his ID while
Ben speaks to the Trooper in a very controlled voice.
BEN
You don't need to see his
identification.
TROOPER
We don't need to see his
identification.
BEN
These are not the droids your looking
for.
TROOPER
These are not the droids we're looking
for.
BEN
He can go about his business.
TROOPER
You can go about your business.
BEN
(to Luke)
Move along.
TROOPER
Move along. Move along.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
The speeder pulls up in front of a rundown blockhouse cantina
on the outskirts of the spaceport. Various strange forms of
transport, including several unusual beasts of burden, are
parked outside the bar. A Jawa runs up and begins to fondle
the speeder.
THREEPIO
I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting
creatures.
As Luke gets out of the speeder he tries to shoo the Jawa
away.
LUKE
Go on, go on. I can't understand how
we got by those troopers. I thought
we were dead.
BEN
The Force can have a strong influence
on the weak-minded. You will find it
a powerful ally.
LUKE
Do you really think we're going to
find a pilot here that'll take us to
Alderaan?
BEN
Well, most of the best freighter
pilots can be found here. Only watch
your step. This place can be a little
rough.
LUKE
I'm ready for anything.
THREEPIO
Come along, Artoo.
INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
The young adventurer and his two mechanical servants follow
Ben Kenobi into the smoke-filled cantina. The murky, moldy
den is filled with a startling array of weird and exotic
alien creatures and monsters at the long metallic bar. At
first the sight is horrifying. One-eyed, thousand-eyed, slimy,
furry, scaly, tentacled, and clawed creatures huddle over
drinks. Ben moves to an empty spot at the bar near a group
of repulsive but human scum. A huge, rough-looking Bartender
stops Luke and the robots.
BARTENDER
We don't serve their kind here!
Luke still recovering from the shock of seeing so many
outlandish creatures, doesn't quite catch the bartender's
drift.
LUKE
What?
BARTENDER
Your droids. They'll have to wait
outside. We don't want them here.
Luke looks at old Ben, who is busy talking to one of the
Galactic pirates. He notices several of the gruesome creatures
along the bar are giving him a very unfriendly glare.
Luke pats Threepio on the shoulder.
LUKE
Listen, why don't you wait out by
the speeder. We don't want any
trouble.
THREEPIO
I heartily agree with you sir.
Threepio and his stubby partner go outside and most of the
creatures at the bar go back to their drinks.
Ben is standing next to Chewbacca, an eight-foot-tall savage-
looking creature resembling a huge grey bushbaby monkey with
fierce baboon-like fangs. His large blue eyes dominate a fur-
covered face and soften his otherwise awesome appearance.
Over his matted, furry body he wears two chrome bandoliers,
and little else. He is a two-hundred-year-old Wookiee and a
sight to behold.
Ben speaks to the Wookiee, pointing to Luke several times
during his conversation and the huge creature suddenly lets
out a horrifying laugh. Luke is more than a little bit
disconcerted and pretends not to hear the conversation between
Ben and the giant Wookiee.
Luke is terrified but tries not to show it. He quietly sips
his drink, looking over the crowd for a more sympathetic ear
or whatever.
A large, multiple-eyed Creature gives Luke a rough shove.
CREATURE
Negola dewaghi wooldugger?!?
The hideous freak is obviously drunk. Luke tries to ignore
the creature and turns back on his drink. A short, grubby
Human and an even smaller rodent-like beast join the
belligerent monstrosity.
HUMAN
He doesn't like you.
LUKE
I'm sorry.
HUMAN
I don't like you either.
The big creature is getting agitated and yells out some
unintelligible gibberish at the now rather nervous, young
adventurer.
HUMAN
Don't insult us. You just watch
yourself. We're wanted men. I have
the death sentence in twelve systems.
LUKE
I'll be careful than.
HUMAN
You'll be dead.
The rodent lets out a loud grunt and everything at the bar
moves away. Luke tries to remain cool but it isn't easy. His
three adversaries ready their weapons. Old Ben moves in behind
Luke.
BEN
This little one isn't worth the
effort. Come let me buy you
something...
A powerful blow from the unpleasant creature sends the young
would-be Jedi sailing across the room, crashing through tables
and breaking a large jug filled with a foul-looking liquid.
With a blood curdling shriek, the monster draws a wicked
chrome laser pistol from his belt and levels it at old Ben.
The bartender panics.
BARTENDER
No blasters! No blaster!
With astounding agility old Ben's laser sword sparks to life
and in a flash an arm lies on the floor. The rodent is cut
in two and the giant multiple-eyed creature lies doubled,
cut from chin to groin. Ben carefully and precisely turns
off his laser sword and replaces it on his utility belt.
Luke, shaking and totally amazed at the old man's abilities,
attempts to stand. The entire fight has lasted only a matter
of seconds. The cantina goes back to normal, although Ben is
given a respectable amount of room at the bar. Luke, rubbing
his bruised head, approaches the old man with new awe. Ben
points the the Wookiee.
BEN
This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate
on a ship that might suit our needs.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
Threepio paces in front of the cantina as Artoo carries on
an electronic conversation with another little red astro-
droid. A creature comes out of the cantina and approaches
two stormtroopers in the street.
THREEPIO
I don't like the look of this.
INT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
Strange creatures play exotic big band music on odd-looking
instruments as Luke, still giddy, downs a fresh drink and
follows Ben and Chewbacca to a booth where Han Solo is
sitting. Han is a tough, roguish starpilot about thirty years
old. A mercenary on a starship, he is simple, sentimental,
and cocksure.
HAN
Han Solo. I'm captain of the
Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells
me you're looking for passage to the
Alderaan system.
BEN
Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship.
HAN
Fast ship? You've never heard of the
Millennium Falcon?
BEN
Should I have?
HAN
It's the ship that made the Kessel
run in less than twelve parsecs!
Ben reacts to Solo's stupid attempt to impress them with
obvious misinformation.
HAN
I've outrun Imperial starships, not
the local bulk-cruisers, mind you.
I'm talking about the big Corellian
ships now. She's fast enough for
you, old man. What's the cargo?
BEN
Only passengers. Myself, the boy,
two droids, and no questions asked.
HAN
What is it? Some kind of local
trouble?
BEN
Let's just say we'd like to avoid
any Imperial entanglements.
HAN
Well, that's the trick, isn't it?
And it's going to cost you something
extra. Ten thousand in advance.
LUKE
Ten thousand? We could almost buy
our own ship for that!
HAN
But who's going to fly it, kid! You?
LUKE
You bet I could. I'm not such a bad
pilot myself! We don't have to sit
here and listen...
BEN
We haven't that much with us. But we
could pay you two thousand now, plus
fifteen when we reach Alderaan.
HAN
Seventeen, huh!
Han ponders this for a few moments.
HAN
Okay. You guys got yourself a ship.
We'll leave as soon as you're ready.
Docking bay Ninety-four.
BEN
Ninety-four.
HAN
Looks like somebody's beginning to
take an interest in your handiwork.
Ben and Luke turn around to see four Imperial stormtroopers
looking at the dead bodies and asking the bartenders some
questions. The bartender points to the booth.
TROOPER
All right, we'll check it out.
The stormtroopers look over at the booth but Luke and Ben
are gone. The bartender shrugs his shoulders in puzzlement.
HAN
Seventeen thousand! Those guys must
really be desperate. This could really
save my neck. Get back to the ship
and get her ready.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
BEN
You'll have to sell your speeder.
LUKE
That's okay. I'm never coming back
to this planet again.
INT. MOS EISLEY - CANTINA
As Han is about to leave, Greedo, a slimy green-faced alien
with a short trunk-nose, pokes a gun in his side. The creature
speaks in a foreign tongue translated into English subtitles.
GREEDO
Going somewhere, Solo?
HAN
Yes, Greedo. As a matter of fact, I
was just going to see your boss.
Tell Jabba that I've got his money.
Han sits down and the alien sits across from him holding the
gun on him.
GREEDO
It's too late. You should have paid
him when you had the chance. Jabba's
put a price on your head, so large
that every bounty hunter in the galaxy
will be looking for you. I'm lucky I
found you first.
HAN
Yeah, but this time I got the money.
GREEDO
If you give it to me, I might forget
I found you.
HAN
I don't have it with me. Tell Jabba...
GREEDO
Jabba's through with you. He has no
time for smugglers who drop their
shipments at the first sign of an
Imperial cruiser.
HAN
Even I get boarded sometimes. Do you
think I had a choice?
Han Solo slowly reaches for his gun under the table.
GREEDO
You can tell that to Jabba. He may
only take your ship.
HAN
Over my dead body.
GREEDO
That's the idea. I've been looking
forward to killing you for a long
time.
HAN
Yes, I'll bet you have.
Suddenly the slimy alien disappears in a blinding flash of
light. Han pulls his smoking gun from beneath the table as
the other patron look on in bemused amazement. Han gets up
and starts out of the cantina, flipping the bartender some
coins as he leaves.
HAN
Sorry about the mess.
EXT. SPACE
Several TIE fighters approach the Death Star.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
VADER
Her resistance to the mind probe is
considerable. It will be some time
before we can extract any information
from her.
An Imperial Officer interrupts the meeting.
IMPERIAL OFFICER
The final check-out is complete. All
systems are operational. What course
shall we set?
TARKIN
Perhaps she would respond to an
alternative form of persuasion.
VADER
What do you mean?
TARKIN
I think it is time we demonstrate
the full power of this station.
(to soldier)
Set your course for Princess Leia's
home planet of Alderaan.
TROOPER
With pleasure.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
Four heavily-armed stormtroopers move menacingly along a
narrow slum alleyway crowed with darkly clad creatures hawking
exotic goods in the dingy little stalls. Men, monsters, and
robots crouch in the waste-filled doorways, whispering and
hiding from the hot winds.
THREEPIO
Lock the door, Artoo.
One of the troopers checks a tightly locked door and moves
on down the alleyway. The door slides open a crack and
Threepio peeks out. Artoo is barely visible in the background.
TROOPER
All right, check that side of the
street. It's secure. Move on to the
next door.
The door opens, Threepio moves into the doorway.
THREEPIO
I would much rather have gone with
Master Luke than stay here with you.
I don't know what all the trouble is
about, but I'm sure it must be your
fault.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.
THREEPIO
You watch your language!
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET - ALLEYWAY - USED
SPEEDER LOT
Ben and Luke are standing in a sleazy used speeder lot,
talking with a tall, grotesque, insect-like used speeder
dealer. Strange exotic bodies and spindly-legged beasts pass
by as the insect concludes the sale by giving Luke some coins.
LUKE
He says it's the best he can do.
Since the XP-38 came out, they're
just not in demand.
BEN
It will be enough.
Ben and Luke leave the speeder lot and walk down the dusty
alleyway past a small robot herding a bunch of anteater-like
creatures. Luke turns and gives one last forlorn look at his
faithful speeder as he rounds a corner. A darkly clad creature
moves out of the shadows as they pass and watches them as
they disappear down another alley.
BEN
If the ship's as fast as he's
boasting, we ought to do well.
INT. DOCKING BAY 94 - DAY
Jabba the Hut and a half-dozen grisly alien pirates and purple
creatures stand in the middle of the docking bay. Jabba is
the grossest of the slavering hulks and his scarred face is
a grim testimonial to his prowess as a vicious killer. He is
a fat, slug-like creature with eyes on extended feelers and
a huge ugly mouth.
JABBA
Come on out, Solo!
A voice from directly behind the pirates startles them and
they turn around to see Han Solo and the giant Wookiee,
Chewbacca, standing behind them with no weapons in sight.
HAN
I've been waiting for you, Jabba.
JABBA
I expected you would be.
HAN
I'm not the type to run.
JABBA
(fatherly-smooth)
Han, my boy, there are times when
you disappoint me... why haven't you
paid me? And why did you have to fry
poor Greedo like that... after all
we've been through together.
HAN
You sent Greedo to blast me.
JABBA
(mock surprise)
Han, why you're the best smuggler in
the business. You're too valuable to
fry. He was only relaying my concern
at your delays. He wasn't going to
blast you.
HAN
I think he thought he was. Next time
don't send one of those twerps. If
you've got something to say to me,
come see me yourself.
JABBA
Han, Han! If only you hadn't had to
dump that shipment of spice... you
understand I just can't make an
exception. Where would I be if every
pilot who smuggled for me dumped
their shipment at the first sign of
an Imperial starship? It's not good
business.
HAN
You know, even I get boarded
sometimes, Jabba. I had no choice,
but I've got a charter now and I can
pay you back, plus a little extra. I
just need some more time.
JABBA
(to his men)
Put your blasters away. Han, my boy,
I'm only doing this because you're
the best and I need you. So, for an
extra, say twenty percent I'll give
you a little more time... but this
is it. If you disappoint me again,
I'll put a price on your head so
large you won't be able to go near a
civilized system for the rest of
your short life.
HAN
Jabba, I'll pay you because it's my
pleasure.
EXT. DOCKING PORT ENTRY - ALLEYWAY
Chewbacca waits restlessly at the entrance to Docking Bay
94. Ben, Luke, and the robots make their way up the street.
Chewbacca jabbers excitedly and signals for them to hurry.
The darkly clad creature has followed them from the speeder
lot. He stops in a nearby doorway and speaks into a small
transmitter.
INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94
Chewbacca leads the group into a giant dirt pit that is
Docking Bay 94. Resting in the middle of the huge hole is a
large, round, beat-up, pieced-together hunk of junk that
could only loosely be called a starship.
LUKE
What a piece of junk.
The tall figure of Han Solo comes down the boarding ramp.
HAN
She'll make point five beyond the
speed of light. She may not look
like much, but she's got it where it
counts, kid. I've added some special
modifications myself.
Luke scratches his head. It's obvious he isn't sure about
all this. Chewbacca rushes up the ramp and urges the others
to follow.
HAN
We're a little rushed, so if you'll
hurry aboard we'll get out of here.
The group rushes up the gang plank, passing a grinning Han
Solo.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
Chewbacca settles into the pilot's chair and starts the mighty
engines of the starship.
INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94
Luke, Ben, Threepio, and Artoo move toward the Millennium
Falcon passing Solo.
THREEPIO
Hello, sir.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREET
Eight Imperial stormtroopers rush up to the darkly clad
creature.
TROOPER
Which way?
The darkly clad creature points to the door of the docking
bay.
TROOPER
All right, men. Load your weapons!
INT. MOS EISLEY SPACEPORT - DOCKING BAY 94]
The troops hold their guns at the ready and charge down the
docking bay entrance.
TROOPER
Stop that ship!
Han Solo looks up and sees the Imperial stormtroopers rushing
into the docking bay. Several of the troopers fire at Han as
he ducks into the spaceship.
TROOPER
Blast 'em!
Han draws his laser pistol and pops off a couple of shots
which force the stormtroopers to dive for safety. The
pirateship engines whine as Han hits the release button that
slams the overhead entry shut.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
HAN
Chewie, get us out of here!
The group straps in for take off.
THREEPIO
Oh, my. I'd forgotten how much I
hate space travel.
EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - STREETS
The half-dozen stormtroopers at a check point hear the general
alarm and look to the sky as the huge starship rises above
the dingy slum dwellings and quickly disappears into the
morning sky.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Han climbs into the pilot's chair next to Chewbacca, who
chatters away as he points to something on the radar scope.
EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
The Corellian pirateship zooms from Tatooine into space.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Han frantically types information into the ship's computer.
Little Artoo appears momentarily at the cockpit doorway,
makes a few beeping remarks, then scurries away.
HAN
It looks like an Imperial cruiser.
Our passengers must be hotter than I
thought. Try and hold them off. Angle
the deflector shield while I make
the calculations for the jump to
light speed.
EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
The Millennium Falcon pirateship races away from the yellow
planet, Tatooine. It is followed by two huge Imperial
stardestroyers.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Over the shoulders of Chewbacca and Han, we can see the galaxy
spread before them. Luke and Ben make their way into the
cramped cockpit where Han continues his calculation.
HAN
Stay sharp! There are two more coming
in; they're going to try to cut us
off.
LUKE
Why don't you outrun them? I thought
you said this thing was fast.
HAN
Watch your mouth, kid, or you're
going to find yourself floating home.
We'll be safe enough once we make
the jump to hyperspace. Besides, I
know a few maneuvers. We'll lose
them!
EXT. SPACE - PLANET TATOOINE
Imperial cruisers fire at the pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
The ship shudders as an explosion flashes outside the window.
HAN
Here's where the fun begins!
BEN
How long before you can make the
jump to light speed?
HAN
It'll take a few moments to get the
coordinates from the navi-computer.
The ship begins to rock violently as lasers hit it.
LUKE
Are you kidding? At the rate they're
gaining...
HAN
Traveling through hyperspace isn't
like dusting crops, boy! Without
precise calculations we could fly
right through a star or bounce too
close to a supernova and that'd end
your trip real quick, wouldn't it?
The ship is now constantly battered with laserfire as a red
warning light begins to flash.
LUKE
What's that flashing?
HAN
We're losing our deflector shield.
Go strap yourself in, I'm going to
make the jump to light speed.
The galaxy brightens and they move faster, almost as if
crashing a barrier. Stars become streaks as the pirateship
makes the jump to hyperspace.
EXT. SPACE
The Millennium Falcon zooms into infinity in less than a
second.
EXT. DEATH STAR
Alderaan looms behind the Death Star battlestation.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
Admiral Motti enters the quiet control room and bows before
Governor Tarkin, who stands before the huge wall screen
displaying a small green planet.
MOTTI
We've entered the Alderaan system.
Vader and two stormtroopers enter with Princess Leia. Her
hands are bound.
LEIA
Governor Tarkin, I should have
expected to find you holding Vader's
leash. I recognized your foul stench
when I was brought on board.
TARKIN
Charming to the last. You don't know
how hard I found it signing the order
to terminate your life!
LEIA
I surprised you had the courage to
take the responsibility yourself!
TARKIN
Princess Leia, before your execution
I would like you to be my guest at a
ceremony that will make this battle
station operational. No star system
will dare oppose the Emperor now.
LEIA
The more you tighten your grip,
Tarkin, the more star systems will
slip through your fingers.
TARKIN
Not after we demonstrate the power
of this station. In a way, you have
determined the choice of the planet
that'll be destroyed first. Since
you are reluctant to provide us with
the location of the Rebel base, I
have chosen to test this station's
destructive power... on your home
planet of Alderaan.
LEIA
No! Alderaan is peaceful. We have no
weapons. You can't possibly...
TARKIN
You would prefer another target? A
military target? Then name the system!
Tarkin waves menacingly toward Leia.
TARKIN
I grow tired of asking this. So it'll
be the last time. Where is the Rebel
base?
Leia overhears an intercom voice announcing the approach to
Alderaan.
LEIA
(softly)
Dantooine.
Leia lowers her head.
LEIA
They're on Dantooine.
TARKIN
There. You see Lord Vader, she can
be reasonable.
(addressing Motti)
Continue with the operation. You may
fire when ready.
LEIA
What?
TARKIN
You're far too trusting. Dantooine
is too remote to make an effective
demonstration. But don't worry. We
will deal with your Rebel friends
soon enough.
LEIA
No!
INT. DEATH STAR - BLAST CHAMBER
VADER
Commence primary ignition.
A button is pressed which switches on a panel of lights. A
hooded Imperial soldier reaches overhead and pulls a lever.
Another lever is pulled. Vader reaches for still another
lever and a bank of lights on a panel and wall light up. A
huge beam of light emanates from within a cone-shaped area
and converges into a single laser beam out toward Alderaan.
The small green planet of Alderaan is blown into space dust.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
Ben watches Luke practice the lightsaber with a small "seeker"
robot. Ben suddenly turns away and sits down. He falters,
seems almost faint.
LUKE
Are you all right? What's wrong?
BEN
I felt a great disturbance in the
Force... as if millions of voices
suddenly cried out in terror and
were suddenly silenced. I fear
something terrible has happened.
Ben rubs his forehead. He seems to drift into a trance. Then
he fixes his gaze on Luke.
BEN
You'd better get on with your
exercises.
Han Solo enters the room.
HAN
Well, you can forget your troubles
with those Imperial slugs. I told
you I'd outrun 'em.
Luke is once again practicing with the lightsaber.
HAN
Don't everyone thank me at once.
Threepio watches Chewbacca and Artoo who are engrossed in a
game in which three-dimensional holographic figures move
along a chess-type board.
HAN
Anyway, we should be at Alderaan
about oh-two-hundred hours.
Chewbacca and the two robots sit around the lighted table
covered with small holographic monsters. Each side of the
table has a small computer monitor embedded in it. Chewbacca
seems very pleased with himself as he rests his lanky fur-
covered arms over his head.
THREEPIO
Now be careful, Artoo.
Artoo immediately reaches up and taps the computer with his
stubby claw hand, causing one of the holographic creatures
to walk to the new square. A sudden frown crosses Chewbacca's
face and he begins yelling gibberish at the tiny robot.
Threepio intercedes on behalf of his small companion and
begins to argue with the huge Wookiee.
THREEPIO
He made a fair move. Screaming about
it won't help you.
HAN
(interrupting)
Let him have it. It's not wise to
upset a Wookiee.
THREEPIO
But sir, nobody worries about
upsetting a droid.
HAN
That's 'cause droids don't pull
people's arms out of their socket
when they lose. Wookiees are known
to do that.
THREEPIO
I see your point, sir. I suggest a
new strategy, Artoo. Let the Wookiee
win.
Luke stands in the middle of the small hold area; he seems
frozen in place. A humming lightsaber is held high over his
head. Ben watches him from the corner, studying his movements.
Han watches with a bit of smugness.
BEN
Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force
flowing through him.
LUKE
You mean it controls your actions?
BEN
Partially. But it also obeys your
commands.
Suspended at eye level, about ten feet in front of Luke, a
"seeker", a chrome baseball-like robot covered with antennae,
hovers slowly in a wide arc. The ball floats to one side of
the youth then the other. Suddenly it makes a lightning-swift
lunge and stops within a few feet of Luke's face. Luke doesn't
move and the ball backs off. It slowly moves behind the boy,
then makes another quick lunge, this time emitting a blood
red laser beam as it attacks. It hits Luke in the leg causing
him to tumble over. Han lets loose with a burst of laughter.
HAN
Hokey religions and ancient weapons
are no match for a good blaster at
your side, kid.
LUKE
You don't believe in the Force, do
you?
HAN
Kid, I've flown from one side of
this galaxy to the other. I've seen
a lot of strange stuff, but I've
never seen anything to make me believe
there's one all-powerful force
controlling everything. There's no
mystical energy field that controls
my destiny.
Ben smiles quietly.
HAN
It's all a lot of simple tricks and
nonsense.
BEN
I suggest you try it again, Luke.
Ben places a large helmet on Luke's head which covers his
eyes.
BEN
This time, let go your conscious
self and act on instinct.
LUKE
(laughing)
With the blast shield down, I can't
even see. How am I supposed to fight?
BEN
Your eyes can deceive you. Don't
trust them.
Han skeptically shakes his head as Ben throws the seeker
into the air. The ball shoots straight up in the air, then
drops like a rock. Luke swings the lightsaber around blindly
missing the seeker, which fires off a laserbolt which hits
Luke square on the seat of the pants. He lets out a painful
yell and attempts to hit the seeker.
BEN
Stretch out with your feelings.
Luke stands in one place, seemingly frozen. The seeker makes
a dive at Luke and, incredibly, he managed to deflect the
bolt. The ball ceases fire and moves back to its original
position.
BEN
You see, you can do it.
HAN
I call it luck.
BEN
In my experience, there's no such
thing as luck.
HAN
Look, going good against remotes is
one thing. Going good against the
living? That's something else.
Solo notices a small light flashing on the far side of the
control panel.
HAN
Looks like we're coming up on
Alderaan.
Han and Chewbacca head back to the cockpit.
LUKE
You know, I did feel something. I
could almost see the remote.
BEN
That's good. You have taken your
first step into a larger world.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
Imperial Officer Cass stands before Governor Tarkin and the
evil Dark Lord Darth Vader.
TARKIN
Yes.
OFFICER CASS
Our scout ships have reached
Dantooine. They found the remains of
a Rebel base, but they estimate that
it has been deserted for some time.
They are now conducting an extensive
search of the surrounding systems.
TARKIN
She lied! She lied to us!
VADER
I told you she would never consciously
betray the Rebellion.
TARKIN
Terminate her... immediately!
EXT. HYPERSPACE
The pirateship is just coming out of hyperspace; a strange
surreal light show surrounds the ship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
HAN
Stand by, Chewie, here we go. Cut in
the sublight engines.
Han pulls back on a control lever. Outside the cockpit window
stars begin streaking past, seem to decrease in speed, then
stop. Suddenly the starship begins to shudder and violently
shake about. Asteroids begin to race toward them, battering
the sides of the ship.
HAN
What the...? Aw, we've come out of
hyperspace into a meteor shower.
Some kind of asteroid collision.
It's not on any of the charts.
The Wookiee flips off several controls and seems very cool
in the emergency. Luke makes his way into the bouncing
cockpit.
LUKE
What's going on?
HAN
Our position is correct, except...
no, Alderaan!
LUKE
What do you mean? Where is it?
HAN
Thats what I'm trying to tell you,
kid. It ain't there. It's been totally
blown away.
LUKE
What? How?
Ben moves into the cockpit behind Luke as the ship begins to
settle down.
BEN
Destroyed... by the Empire!
HAN
The entire starfleet couldn't destroy
the whole planet. It'd take a thousand
ships with more fire power than
I've...
A signal starts flashing on the control panel and a muffled
alarm starts humming.
HAN
There's another ship coming in.
LUKE
Maybe they know what happened.
BEN
It's an Imperial fighter.
Chewbacca barks his concern. A huge explosion bursts outside
the cockpit window, shaking the ship violently. A tiny, finned
Imperial TIE fighter races past the cockpit window.
LUKE
It followed us!
BEN
No. It's a short range fighter.
HAN
There aren't any bases around here.
Where did it come from?
EXT. SPACE
The fighter races past the Corellian pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
LUKE
It sure is leaving in a big hurry.
If they identify us, we're in big
trouble.
HAN
Not if I can help it. Chewie...jam
it's transmissions.
BEN
It'd be as well to let it go. It's
too far out of range.
HAN
Not for long...
EXT. SPACE
The pirateship zooms over the camera and away into the
vastness of space after the Imperial TIE fighter.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
The tension mounts as the pirateship gains on the tiny
fighter. In the distance, one of the stars becomes brighter
until it is obvious that the TIE ship is heading for it. Ben
stands behind Chewbacca.
BEN
A fighter that size couldn't get
this deep into space on its own.
LUKE
It must have gotten lost, been part
of a convoy or something.
HAN
Well, he ain't going to be around
long enough to tell anyone about us.
EXT. SPACE
The TIE fighter is losing ground to the larger pirateship as
they race toward camera and disappear over head.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
The distant star can be distinguished as a small moon or
planet.
LUKE
Look at him. He's headed for that
small moon.
HAN
I think I can get him before he gets
there... he's almost in range.
The small moon begins to take on the appearance of a monstrous
spherical battle station.
BEN
That's no moon! It's a space station.
HAN
It's too big to be a space station.
LUKE
I have a very bad feeling about this.
HAN
Yeah, I think your right. Full
reverse! Chewie, lock in the auxiliary
power.
The pirateship shudders and the TIE fighter accelerates away
toward the gargantuan battle station.
LUKE
Why are we still moving towards it?
HAN
We're caught in a tractor beam! It's
pulling us in!
LUKE
But there's gotta be something you
can do!
HAN
There's nothin' I can do about it,
kid. I'm in full power. I'm going to
have to shut down. But they're not
going to get me without a fight!
Ben Kenobi puts a hand on his shoulder.
BEN
You can't win. But there are
alternatives to fighting.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - DEATH STAR
As the battered pirate starship is towed closer to the awesome
metal moon, the immense size of the massive battle station
becomes staggering. Running along the equator of the gigantic
sphere is a mile-high band of huge docking ports into which
the helpless pirateship is dragged.
EXT. DEATH STAR - HUGE PORT DOORS
The helpless Millennium Falcon is pulled past a docking port
control room and huge laser turret cannons.
VOICE OVER DEATH STAR INTERCOM
Clear Bay twenty-three-seven. We are opening the magnetic
field.
INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037
The pirateship is pulled in through port doors of the Death
Star, coming to rest in a huge hangar. Thirty stormtroopers
stand at attention in a central assembly area.
OFFICER
To you stations!
(to another officer)
Come with me.
INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
Stormtroopers run to their posts.
INT. DEATH STAR - HANGAR 2037
A line of stormtroopers march toward the pirateship in
readiness to board it, while other troopers stand with weapons
ready to fire.
OFFICER
Close all outboard shields! Close
all outboard shields!
INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
Tarkin pushes a button and responds to the intercom buzz.
TARKIN
Yes.
VOICE
(over intercom)
We've captured a freighter entering
the remains of the Alderaan system.
It's markings match those of a ship
that blasted its way out of Mos
Eisley.
VADER
They must be trying to return the
stolen plans to the princess. She
may yet be of some use to us.
INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY 2037
Vader and a commander approach the troops as an Officer and
several heavily armed troops exit the spacecraft.
VOICE
(over intercom)
Unlock one-five-seven and nine.
Release charges.
OFFICER
(to Vader)
There's no one on board, sir.
According to the log, the crew
abandoned ship right after takeoff.
It must be a decoy, sir. Several of
the escape pods have been jettisoned.
VADER
Did you find any droids?
OFFICER
No, sir. If there were any on board,
they must also have jettisoned.
VADER
Send a scanning crew on board. I
want every part of this ship checked.
OFFICER
Yes, sir.
VADER
I sense something... a presence I
haven't felt since...
Vader turns quickly and exits the hangar.
OFFICER
Get me a scanning crew in here on
the double. I want every part of
this ship checked!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HALLWAY
A trooper runs through the hallway heading for the exit. In
a few moments all is quiet. The muffled sounds of a distant
officer giving orders finally fade. Two floor panels suddenly
pop up revealing Han Solo and Luke. Ben Kenobi sticks his
head out of a third locker.
LUKE
Boy, it's lucky you had these
compartments.
HAN
I use them for smuggling. I never
thought I'd be smuggling myself in
them. This is ridiculous. Even if I
could take off, I'd never get past
the tractor beam.
BEN
Leave that to me!
HAN
Damn fool. I knew that you were going
to say that!
BEN
Who's the more foolish... the fool
or the fool who follows him?
Han shakes his head, muttering to himself. Chewbacca agrees.
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
The crewmen carry a heavy box on board the ship, past the
two stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp.
TROOPER
The ship's all yours. If the scanners
pick up anything, report it
immediately. All right, let's go.
The crewmen enter the pirateship and a loud crashing sound
is followed by a voice calling to the guard below.
HAN'S VOICE
Hey down there, could you give us a
hand with this?
The stormtroopers enter the ship and a quick round of gunfire
is heard.
INT. DEATH STAR - FORWARD BAY - COMMAND OFFICE
In a very small command office near the entrance to the
pirateship, a Gantry Officer looks out his window and notices
the guards are missing. He speaks into the comlink.
GANTRY OFFICER
TX-four-one-two. Why aren't you at
your post? TX-four-one-two, do you
copy?
A stormtrooper comes down the ramp of the pirateship and
waves to the gantry officer, pointing to his ear indicating
his comlink is not working. The gantry officer shakes his
head in disgust and heads for the door, giving his aide an
annoyed look.
GANTRY OFFICER
Take over. We've got a bad
transmitter. I'll see what I can do.
As the officer approaches the door, it slides open revealing
the towering Chewbacca. The gantry officer, in a momentary
state of shock, stumbles backward. With a bone- chilling
howl, the giant Wookiee flattens the officer with one blow.
The aide immediately reaches for his pistol, but is blasted
by Han, dressed as an Imperial stormtrooper. Ben and the
robots enter the room quickly followed by Luke, also dressed
as a stormtrooper. Luke quickly removes his helmet.
LUKE
You know, between his howling and
your blasting everything in sight,
it's a wonder the whole station
doesn't know we're here.
HAN
Bring them on! I prefer a straight
fight to all this sneaking around.
THREEPIO
We found the computer outlet, sir.
Ben feeds some information into the computer and a map of
the city appears on the monitor. He begins to inspect it
carefully. Threepio and Artoo look over the control panel.
Artoo finds something that makes him whistle wildly.
BEN
Plug in. He should be able to
interpret the entire Imperial computer
network.
Artoo punches his claw arm into the computer socket and the
vast Imperial brain network comes to life, feeding information
to the little robot. After a few moments, he beeps something.
THREEPIO
He says he's found the main computer
to power the tractor beam that's
holding the ship here. He'll try to
make the precise location appear on
the monitor.
The computer monitor flashes readouts.
THREEPIO
The tractor beam is coupled to the
main reactor in seven locations. A
power loss at one of the terminals
will allow the ship to leave.
Ben studies the data on the monitor readout.
BEN
I don't think you boys can help. I
must go alone.
HAN
Whatever you say. I've done more
that I bargained for on this trip
already.
LUKE
I want to go with you.
BEN
Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch
over the droids.
LUKE
But he can...
BEN
They must be delivered safely or
other star systems will suffer the
same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny
lies along a different path than
mine. The Force will be with you...
always!
Ben adjusts the lightsaber on his belt and silently steps
out of the command office, then disappears down a long grey
hallway. Chewbacca barks a comment and Han shakes his head
in agreement.
HAN
Boy you said it, Chewie.
Han looks at Luke.
HAN
Where did you dig up that old fossil?
LUKE
Ben is a great man.
HAN
Yeah, great at getting us into
trouble.
LUKE
I didn't hear you give any ideas...
HAN
Well, anything would be better than
just hanging around waiting for him
to pick us up...
LUKE
Who do you think...
Suddenly Artoo begins to whistle and beep a blue streak.
Luke goes over to him.
LUKE
What is it?
THREEPIO
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure, sir.
He says "I found her", and keeps
repeating, "She's here."
LUKE
Well, who... who has he found?
Artoo whistles a frantic reply.
THREEPIO
Princess Leia.
LUKE
The princess? She's here?
HAN
Princess? What's going on?
THREEPIO
Level five. Detention block A A-twenty-
three. I'm afraid she's scheduled to
be terminated.
LUKE
Oh, no! We've got to do something.
HAN
What are you talking about?
LUKE
The droid belongs to her. She's the
one in the message... We've got to
help her.
HAN
Now, look, don't get any funny ideas.
The old man wants us to wait right
here.
LUKE
But he didn't know she was here.
Look, will you just find a way back
into the detention block?
HAN
I'm not going anywhere.
LUKE
They're going to execute her. Look,
a few minutes ago you said you didn't
want to just wait here to be captured.
Now all you want to do is stay.
HAN
Marching into the detention area is
not what I had in mind.
LUKE
But they're going to kill her!
HAN
Better her than me...
LUKE
She's rich.
Chewbacca growls.
HAN
Rich?
LUKE
Yes. Rich, powerful! Listen, if you
were to rescue her, the reward would
be...
HAN
What?
LUKE
Well more wealth that you can imagine.
HAN
I don't know, I can imagine quite a
bit!
LUKE
You'll get it!
HAN
I better!
LUKE
You will...
HAN
All right, kid. But you'd better be
right about this.
Han looks at Chewie, who grunts a short grunt.
LUKE
All right.
HAN
What's your plan?
LUKE
Uh... Threepio, hand me those binders
there will you?
Luke moves toward Chewbacca with electronic cuffs.
LUKE
Okay. Now, I'm going to put these on
you.
Chewie lets out a hideous growl.
LUKE
Okay. Han, you put these on.
Luke sheepishly hands the binders to Han.
HAN
Don't worry, Chewie. I think I know
what he has in mind.
The Wookiee has a worried and frightened look on his face as
Han binds him with the electronic cuffs.
THREEPIO
Master Luke, sir! Pardon me for
asking... but, ah... what should
Artoo and I do if we're discovered
here?
LUKE
Lock the door!
HAN
And hope they don't have blasters.
THREEPIO
That isn't very reassuring.
Luke and Han put on their armored stormtrooper helmets and
start off into the giant Imperial Death Star.
INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - ELEVATOR TUBE
Han and Luke try to look inconspicuous in their armored suits
as they wait for a vacuum elevator to arrive. Troops,
bureaucrats, and robots bustle about, ignoring the trio
completely. Only a few give the giant Wookiee a curious
glance.
Finally a small elevator arrives and the trio enters.
LUKE
I can't see a thing in this helmet.
A bureaucrat races to get aboard also, but is signaled away
by Han. The door to the pod-like vehicle slides closed and
the elevator car takes off through a vacuum tube.
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN HALLWAY
Several Imperial officers walk through the wide main
passageway. They pass several stormtroopers and a robot
similar to Threepio but with an insect face. At the far end
of the hallway, a passing flash of Ben Kenobi appears, then
disappears down a small hallway. His appearance is so fleeting
that it is hard to tell if he is real or just an illusion.
No one in the hallway seems to notice him.
INT. DEATH STAR - INTERIOR ELEVATOR - DETENTION SECURITY
AREA
Luke and Han step forward to exit the elevator, but the door
slides open behind them. The giant Wookiee and his two guards
enter the old grey security station. Guards and laser gates
are everywhere. Han whispers to Luke under his breath.
HAN
This is not going to work.
LUKE
Why didn't you say so before?
HAN
I did say so before!
INT. DETENTION AREA
Elevator doors open. A tall, grim looking Officer approaches
the trio.
OFFICER
Where are you taking this... thing?
Chewie growls a bit at the remark but Han nudges him to shut
up.
LUKE
Prisoner transfer from Block one-one-
three-eight.
OFFICER
I wasn't notified. I'll have to clear
it.
The officer goes back to his console and begins to punch in
the information. There are only three other troopers in the
area. Luke and Han survey the situation, checking all of the
alarms, laser gates, and camera eyes. Han unfastens one of
Chewbacca's electronic cuffs and shrugs to Luke.
Suddenly Chewbacca throws up his hands and lets out with one
of his ear-piercing howls. He grabs Han's laser rifle.
HAN
Look out! He's loose!
LUKE
He's going to pull us all apart.
HAN
Go get him!
The startled guards are momentarily dumbfounded. Luke and
Han have already pulled out their laser pistols and are
blasting away at the terrifying Wookiee. Their barrage of
laserfire misses Chewbacca, but hits the camera eyes, laser
gate controls, and the Imperial guards. The officer is the
last of the guards to fall under the laserfire just as he is
about to push the alarm system. Han rushes to the comlink
system, which is screeching questions about what is going
on. He quickly checks the computer readout.
HAN
We've got to find out which cell
this princess of yours is in. Here
it is... cell twenty-one-eight-seven.
You go get her. I'll hold them here.
Luke races down one of the cell corridors. Han speaks into
the buzzing comlink.
HAN
(sounding official)
Everything is under control. Situation
normal.
INTERCOM VOICE
What happened?
HAN
(getting nervous)
Uh... had a slight weapons
malfunction. But, uh, everything's
perfectly all right now. We're fine.
We're all fine here, now, thank you.
How are you?
INTERCOM VOICE
We're sending a squad up.
HAN
Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor
leak here now. Give us a few minutes
to lock it down. Large leak... very
dangerous.
INTERCOM VOICE
Who is this? What's your operating
number?
Han blasts the comlink and it explodes.
HAN
Boring conversation anyway.
(yelling down the
hall)
Luke! We're going to have company!
INT. DEATH STAR - CELL ROW
Luke stops in front of one of the cells and blasts the door
away with a laser pistol. When the smoke clears, Luke sees
the dazzling young princess-senator. She had been sleeping
and is now looking at him with an uncomprehending look on
her face. Luke is stunned by her incredible beauty and stands
staring at her with his mouth hanging open.
LEIA
(finally)
Aren't you a little short to be a
stormtrooper?
Luke takes off his helmet, coming out of it.
LUKE
What? Oh... the uniform. I'm Luke
Skywalker. I'm here to rescue you.
LEIA
You're who?
LUKE
I'm here to rescue you. I've got
your R2 unit. I'm here with Ben
Kenobi.
LEIA
Ben Kenobi is here! Where is he?
LUKE
Come on!
INT. DEATH STAR - CONFERENCE ROOM
Darth Vader paces the room as Governor Tarkin sits at the
far end of the conference table.
VADER
He is here...
TARKIN
Obi-Wan Kenobi! What makes you think
so?
VADER
A tremor in the Force. The last time
I felt it was in the presence of my
old master.
TARKIN
Surely he must be dead by now.
VADER
Don't underestimate the power of the
Force.
TARKIN
The Jedi are extinct, their fire has
gone out of the universe. You, my
friend, are all that's left of their
religion.
There is a quiet buzz on the comlink.
TARKIN
Yes.
INTERCOM VOICE
Governor Tarkin, we have an emergency
alert in detention block A A-twenty-
three.
TARKIN
The princess! Put all sections on
alert!
VADER
Obi-Wan is here. The Force is with
him.
TARKIN
If you're right, he must not be
allowed to escape.
VADER
Escape is not his plan. I must face
him alone.
INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION AREA - HALLWAY
An ominous buzzing sound is heard on the other side of the
elevator door.
HAN
Chewie!
Chewbacca responds with a growling noise.
HAN
Get behind me! Get behind me!
A series of explosions knock a hole in the elevator door
through which several Imperial troops begin to emerge.
Han and Chewie fire laser pistols at them through the smoke
and flame. They turn and run down the cell hallway, meeting
up with Luke and Leia rushing toward them.
HAN
Can't get out that way.
LEIA
Looks like you managed to cut off
our only escape route.
HAN
(sarcastically)
Maybe you'd like it back in your
cell, Your Highness.
Luke takes a small comlink transmitter from his belt as they
continue to exchange fire with stormtroopers making their
way down the corridor.
LUKE
See-Threepio! See-Threepio!
THREEPIO
(over comlink)
Yes sir?
LUKE
We've been cut off! Are there any
other ways out of the cell bay?...
What was that? I didn't copy!
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN BAY GANTRY - CONTROL TOWER
Threepio paces the control center as little Artoo beeps and
whistles a blue streak. Threepio yells into the small comlink
transmitter.
THREEPIO
I said, all systems have been alerted
to your presence, sir. The main
entrance seems to be the only way in
or out; all other information on
your level is restricted.
Someone begins banging on the door.
TROOPER VOICE
Open up in there!
THREEPIO
Oh, no!
INT. DEATH STAR - DETENTION CORRIDOR
Luke and Leia crouch together in an alcove for protection as
they continue to exchange fire with troops. Han and Chewbacca
are barely able to keep the stormtroopers at bay at the far
and of the hallway. The laserfire is very intense, and smoke
fills the narrow cell corridor.
LUKE
There isn't any other way out.
HAN
I can't hold them off forever! Now
what?
LEIA
This is some rescue. When you came
in here, didn't you have a plan for
getting out?
HAN
(pointing to Luke)
He's the brains, sweetheart.
Luke manages a sheepish grin and shrugs his shoulders.
LUKE
Well, I didn't...
The princess grabs Luke's gun and fires at a small grate in
the wall next to Han, almost frying him.
HAN
What the hell are you doing?
LEIA
Somebody has to save our skins. Into
the garbage chute, wise guy.
She jumps through the narrow opening as Han and Chewbacca
look on in amazement. Chewbacca sniffs the garbage chute and
says something.
HAN
Get in there you big furry oaf! I
don't care what you smell! Get in
there and don't worry about it.
Han gives him a kick and the Wookiee disappears into the
tiny opening. Luke and Han continue firing as they work their
way toward the opening.
HAN
Wonderful girl! Either I'm going to
kill her or I'm beginning to like
her. Get in there!
Luke ducks laserfire as he jumps into the darkness. Han fires
off a couple of quick blasts creating a smokey cover, then
slides into the chute himself and is gone.
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
Han tumbles into the large room filled with garbage and muck.
Luke is already stumbling around looking for an exit. He
finds a small hatchway and struggles to get it open. It won't
budge.
HAN
(sarcastically)
Oh! The garbage chute was a really
wonderful idea. What an incredible
smell you've discovered! Let's get
out of here! Get away from there...
LUKE
No! wait!
Han draws his laser pistol and fires at the hatch. The
laserbolt ricochets wildly around the small metal room.
Everyone dives for cover in the garbage as the bolt explodes
almost on top of them. Leia climbs out of the garbage with a
rather grim look on her face.
LUKE
Will you forget it? I already tried
it. It's magnetically sealed!
LEIA
Put that thing away! You're going to
get us all killed.
HAN
Absolutely, Your Worship. Look, I
had everything under control until
you led us down here. You know, it's
not going to take them long to figure
out what happened to us.
LEIA
It could be worse...
A loud, horrible, inhuman moan works its way up from the
murky depths. Chewbacca lets out a terrified howl and begins
to back away. Han and Luke stand fast with their laser pistols
drawn. The Wookiee is cowering near one of the walls.
HAN
It's worse.
LUKE
There's something alive in here!
HAN
That's your imagination.
LUKE
Something just moves past my leg!
Look! Did you see that?
HAN
What?
LUKE
Help!
Suddenly Luke is yanked under the garbage.
HAN
Luke! Luke! Luke!
Solo tries to get to Luke. Luke surfaces with a gasp of air
and thrashing of limbs. A membrane tentacle is wrapped around
his throat.
LEIA
Luke!
Leia extends a long pipe toward him.
LEIA
Luke, Luke, grab a hold of this.
LUKE
Blast it, will you! My gun's jammed.
HAN
Where?
LUKE
Anywhere! Oh!!
Solo fires his gun downward. Luke is pulled back into the
muck by the slimy tentacle.
HAN
Luke! Luke!
Suddenly the walls of the garbage receptacle shudder and
move in a couple of inches. Then everything is deathly quiet.
Han and Leia give each other a worried look as Chewbacca
howls in the corner. With a rush of bubbles and muck Luke
suddenly bobs to the surface.
LEIA
Grab him!
Luke seems to be released by the thing.
LEIA
What happened?
LUKE
I don't know, it just let go of me
and disappeared...
HAN
I've got a very bad feeling about
this.
Before anyone can say anything the walls begin to rumble and
edge toward the Rebels.
LUKE
The walls are moving!
LEIA
Don't just stand there. Try to brace
it with something.
They place poles and long metal beams between the closing
walls, but they are simply snapped and bent as the giant
trashmasher rumbles on. The situation doesn't look too good.
LUKE
Wait a minute!
Luke pulls out his comlink.
LUKE
Threepio! Come in Threepio! Threepio!
Where could he be?
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN GANTRY - COMMAND OFFICE
A soft buzzer and the muted voice of Luke calling out for
See-Threepio can be heard on Threepio's hand comlink, which
is sitting on the deserted computer console. Artoo and
Threepio are nowhere in sight. Suddenly there is a great
explosion and the door of the control tower flies across the
floor. Four armed stormtroopers enter the chamber.
FIRST TROOPER
Take over!
(pointing to the dead
officer)
See to him! Look there!
A trooper pushes a button and the supply cabinet door slides
open. See-Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are inside. Artoo follows
his bronze companion out into the office.
THREEPIO
They're madmen! They're heading for
the prison level. If you hurry, you
might catch them.
FIRST OFFICER
(to his troops)
Follow me! You stand guard.
The troops hustle off down the hallway, leaving a guard to
watch over the command office.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Come on!
The guard aims a blaster at them.
THREEPIO
Oh! All this excitement has overrun
the circuits of my counterpart here.
If you don't mind, I'd like to take
him down to maintenance.
TROOPER
All right.
The guard nods and Threepio, with little Artoo in tow, hurries
out the door.
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
As the walls rumble closed, the room gets smaller and smaller.
Chewie is whining and trying to hold a wall back with his
giant paws.
Han is leaning back against the other wall. Garbage is
snapping and popping. Luke is trying to reach Threepio.
LUKE
Threepio! Come in, Threepio! Threepio!
Han and Leia try to brace the contracting walls with a pole.
Leia begins to sink into the trash.
HAN
Get to the top!
LEIA
I can't
LUKE
Where could he be? Threepio! Threepio,
will you come in?
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
THREEPIO
They aren't here! Something must
have happened to them. See if they've
been captured.
Little Artoo carefully plugs his claw arm into a new wall
socket and a complex array of electronic sounds spew from
the tiny robot.
THREEPIO
Hurry!
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
The walls are only feet apart. Leia and Han are braced against
the walls. The princess is frightened. They look at each
other. Leia reaches out and takes Han's hand and she holds
it tightly. She's terrified and suddenly groans as she feels
the first crushing pressure against her body.
HAN
One thing's for sure. We're all going
to be a lot thinner!
(to Leia)
Get on top of it!
LEIA
I'm trying!
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
Thank goodness, they haven't found
them! Where could they be?
Artoo frantically beeps something to See-Threepio.
THREEPIO
Use the comlink? Oh, my! I forgot I
turned it off!
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
Meanwhile, Luke is lying on his side, trying to keep his
head above the rising ooze. Luke's comlink begins to buzz
and he rips it off his belt.
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
Muffled sounds of Luke's voice over the comlink can be heard,
but not distinctly.
THREEPIO
Are you there, sir?
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
LUKE
Threepio!
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
THREEPIO
We've had some problems...
LUKE
(over comlink)
Will you shut up and listen to me?
Shut down all garbage mashers on the
detention level, will you? Do you
copy?
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
LUKE
Shut down all the garbage mashers on
the detention level.
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
LUKE
(over comlink)
Shut down all the garbage mashers on
the detention level.
THREEPIO
(to Artoo)
No. Shut them all down! Hurry!
Threepio holds his head in agony as he hears the incredible
screaming and hollering from Luke's comlink.
THREEPIO
Listen to them! They're dying, Artoo!
Curse my metal body! I wasn't fast
enough. It's all my fault! My poor
master!
LUKE
(over comlink)
Threepio, we're all right!
INT. DEATH STAR - GARBAGE ROOM
The screaming and hollering is the sound of joyous relief.
The walls have stopped moving. Han, Chewie and Leia embrace
in the background.
LUKE
We're all right. You did great.
Luke moves to the pressure sensitive hatch, looking for a
number.
LUKE
Hey... hey, open the pressure
maintenance hatch on unit number...
where are we?
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY - SERVICE PANEL
HAN
(over comlink)
Three-two-six-eight-two-seven.
INT. DEATH STAR - TRACTOR BEAM - POWER GENERATOR TRENCH
Ben enters a humming service trench that powers the huge
tractor beam. The trench seems to be a hundred miles deep.
The clacking sound of huge switching devices can be heard.
The old Jedi edges his his way along a narrow ledge leading
to a control panel that connects two large cables. He
carefully makes several adjustments in the computer terminal,
and several lights on the board go from red to blue.
INT. DEATH STAR - UNUSED HALLWAY
The group exits the garbage room into a dusty, unused hallway.
Han and Luke remove the trooper suits and strap on the blaster
belts.
HAN
If we can just avoid any more female
advice, we ought to be able to get
out of here.
Luke smiles and scratches his head as he takes a blaster
from Solo.
LUKE
Well, let's get moving!
Chewie begins growling and points to the hatch to the garbage
room, as he runs away and then stops howling.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Where are you going?
The Dia Nogu bangs against the hatch and a long, slimy
tentacle works its way out of the doorway searching for a
victim. Han aims his pistol.
LEIA
No, wait. They'll hear!
Han fires at the doorway. The noise of the blast echoes
relentlessly throughout the empty passageway. Luke simply
shakes his head in disgust.
HAN
(to Chewie)
Come here, you big coward!
Chewie shakes his head "no."
HAN
Chewie! Come here!
LEIA
Listen. I don't know who you are, or
where you came from, but from now
on, you do as I tell you. Okay?
Han is stunned at the command of the petite young girl.
HAN
Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get
one thing straight! I take orders
from one person! Me!
LEIA
It's a wonder you're still alive.
(looking at Chewie)
Will somebody get this big walking
carpet out of my way?
Han watches her start away. He looks at Luke.
HAN
No reward is worth this.
They follow her, moving swiftly down the deserted corridor.
INT. DEATH STAR - POWER TRENCH
Suddenly a door behind Ben slides open and a detachment of
stormtroopers marches to the power trench. Ben instantly
slips into the shadows as an Officer moves to within a few
feet of him.
OFFICER
Secure this area until the alert is
canceled.
FIRST TROOPER
Give me regular reports.
All but two of the stormtroopers leave.
FIRST TROOPER
Do you know what's going on?
SECOND TROOPER
Maybe it's another drill.
Ben moves around the tractor beam, watching the stormtroopers
as they turn their backs to him. Ben gestures with his hand
toward them, as the troops think they hear something in the
other hallway. With the help of the Force, Ben deftly slips
past the troopers and into the main hallway.
SECOND TROOPER
What was that?
FIRST TROOPER
Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about
it.
INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Leia run down an empty hallway and
stop before a bay window overlooking the pirateship. Troopers
are milling about the ship. Luke takes out his pocket comlink.
HAN
(looking at his ship)
There she is.
LUKE
See-Threepio, do you copy?
THREEPIO
(voice)
For the moment. Uh, we're in the
main hangar across from the ship.
LUKE
We're right above you. Stand by.
Han is watching the dozen or so troops moving in and out of
the pirateship. Leia moves towards Han, touches his arm and
points out the window to the ship.
LEIA
You came in that thing? You're braver
that I thought.
HAN
Nice! Come on!
Han gives her a dirty look, and they start off down the
hallway. They round a corner and run right into twenty
Imperial stormtroopers heading toward them. Both groups are
taken by surprise and stop in their tracks.
FIRST TROOPER
It's them! Blast them!
Before even thinking, Han draws his laser pistol and charges
the troops, firing. His blaster knocks one of the
stormtroopers into the air. Chewie follows his captain down
the corridor, stepping over the fallen trooper on the floor.
HAN
(to Luke and Leia)
Get back to the ship!
LUKE
Where are you going? Come back!
Han has already rounded a corner and does not hear.
LEIA
He certainly has courage.
LUKE
What good will it do us if he gets
himself killed? Come on!
Luke is furious but doesn't have time to think about it for
muted alarms begin to go off down on the hangar deck. Luke
and Leia start off toward the starship hangar.
INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
Han chases the stormtroopers down a long subhallway. He is
yelling and brandishing his laser pistol. The troops reach a
dead end and are forced to turn and fight. Han stops a few
feet from them and assumes a defensive position. The troops
begin to raise their laser guns. Soon all ten troopers are
moving into an attack position in front of the lone
starpirate. Han's determined look begins to fade as the troops
begin to advance. Solo jumps backward as they fire at him.
INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
Chewbacca runs down the subhallway in a last-ditch attempt
to save his bold captain. Suddenly he hears the firing of
laser guns and yelling. Around the corner shoots Han, pirate
extraordinaire, running for his life, followed by a host of
furious stormtroopers. Chewbacca turns and starts running
the other way also.
INT. DEATH STAR - SUBHALLWAY
Luke fires his laser pistol wildly as he and Leia rush down
a narrow subhallway, chased by several stormtroopers. They
quickly reach the end of the subhallway and race through an
open hatchway.
INT. DEATH STAR - CENTRAL CORE SHAFT
Luke and Leia race through the hatch onto a narrow bridge
that spans a huge, deep shaft that seems to go into infinity.
The bridge has been retracted into the wall of the shaft,
and Luke almost rushes into the abyss. He loses his balance
off the end of the bridge as Leia, behind him, takes hold of
his arm and pulls him back.
LUKE
(gasping)
I think we took a wrong turn.
Blasts from the stormtroopers' laser guns explode nearby
reminding them of the oncoming danger. Luke fires back at
the advancing troops. Leia reaches over and hits a switch
that pops the hatch door shut with a resounding boom, leaving
them precariously perched on a short piece of bridge overhang.
Laserfire from the troopers continues to hit the steel door.
LEIA
There's no lock!
Luke blasts the controls with his laser pistol.
LUKE
That oughta hold it for a while.
LEIA
Quick, we've got to get across. Find
the control that extends the bridge.
LUKE
Oh, I think I just blasted it.
Luke looks at the blasted bridge control while the
stormtroopers on the opposite side of the door begin making
ominous drilling and pounding sounds.
LEIA
They're coming through!
Luke notices something on his stormtrooper belt, when
laserfire hits the wall behind him. Luke aims his laser pistol
at a stormtrooper perched on a higher bridge overhang across
the abyss from them. They exchange fire. Two more troops
appear on another overhang, also firing. A trooper is hit,
and grabs at his chest.
Another trooper standing on the bridge overhang is hit by
Luke's laserfire, and plummets down the shaft. Troopers move
back off the bridge; Luke hands the gun to Leia.
LUKE
Here, hold this.
Luke pulls a thin nylon cable from his trooper utility belt.
It has a grappler hook on it. A trooper appears on a bridge
overhang and fires at Luke and Leia. As Luke works with the
rope, Leia returns the laser volley. Another trooper appears
and fires at them, as Leia returns his fire as well.
Suddenly, the hatch door begins to open, revealing the feet
of more troops.
LEIA
Here they come!
Leia hits one of the stormtroopers on the bridge above, and
he falls into the abyss. Luke tosses the rope across the
gorge and it wraps itself around an outcropping of pipes. He
tugs on the rope to make sure it is secure, then grabs the
princess in his arms. Leia looks at Luke, then kisses him
quickly on the lips. Luke is very surprised.
LEIA
For luck!
Luke pushes off and they swing across the treacherous abyss
to the corresponding hatchway on the opposite side. Just as
Luke and Leia reach the far side of the canyon, the
stormtroopers break through the hatch and begin to fire at
the escaping duo. Luke returns the fire before ducking into
the tiny subhallway.
INT. DEATH STAR - NARROW PASSAGEWAY
Ben hides in the shadows of the narrow passageway as several
stormtroopers rush past him in the main hallway. He checks
to make sure they're gone, then runs down the hallway in the
opposite direction. Darth Vader appears at the far end of
the hallway and starts after the old Jedi.
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
Threepio looks around at the troops milling about the
pirateship entry ramp.
THREEPIO
Where could they be?
Artoo, plugged into the computer socket, turns his dome left
and right, beeping a response.
INT. DEATH STAR - CORRIDOR - BLAST SHIELDS DOOR
Han and Chewbacca run down a long corridor with several
troopers hot on their trail.
TROOPER
Close the blast doors!
At the end of the hallway, blast doors begin to close in
front of them. The young starpilot and his furry companion
race past the huge doors just as they are closing, and manage
to get off a couple off laserblasts at the pursuing troops
before the doors slam shut.
TROOPER
Open the blast doors! Open the blast
doors!
INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY LEADING TO MAIN FORWARD BAY
Ben hurries along one of the tunnels leading to the hangar
where the pirateship waits. Just before he reaches the hangar,
Darth Vader steps into view at the end of the tunnel, not
ten feet away. Vader lights his saber. Ben also ignites his
and steps slowly forward.
VADER
I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan.
We meet again, at last. The circle
is now complete.
Ben Kenobi moves with elegant ease into a classical offensive
position. The fearsome Dark Knight takes a defensive stance.
VADER
When I left you, I was but the
learner; now I am the master.
BEN
Only a master of evil, Darth.
The two Galactic warriors stand perfectly still for a few
moments, sizing each other up and waiting for the right
moment. Ben seems to be under increasing pressure and strain,
as if an invisible weight were being placed upon him. He
shakes his head and, blinking, tries to clear his eyes.
Ben makes a sudden lunge at the huge warrior but is checked
by a lightning movement of The Sith. A masterful slash stroke
by Vader is blocked by the old Jedi. Another of the Jedi's
blows is blocked, then countered. Ben moves around the Dark
Lord and starts backing into the massive starship hangar.
The two powerful warriors stand motionless for a few moments
with laser swords locked in mid-air, creating a low buzzing
sound.
VADER
Your powers are weak, old man.
BEN
You can't win, Darth. If you strike
me down, I shall become more powerful
than you can possibly imagine.
Their lightsabers continue to meet in combat.
INT. DEATH STAR - MAIN FORWARD BAY
Han Solo and Chewbacca, their weapons in hand, lean back
against the wall surveying the forward bay, watching the
Imperial stormtroopers make their rounds of the hangar.
HAN
Didn't we just leave this party?
Chewbacca growls a reply, as Luke and the princess join them.
HAN
What kept you?
LEIA
We ran into some old friends.
LUKE
Is the ship all right?
HAN
Seems okay, if we can get to it.
Just hope the old man got the tractor
beam out of commission.
INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
Vader and Ben Kenobi continue their powerful duel. As they
hit their lightsabers together, lightning flashes on impact.
Troopers look on in interest as the old Jedi and Dark Lord
of The Sith fight. Suddenly Luke spots the battle from his
group's vantage point.
LUKE
Look!
Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie look up and see Ben and Vader
emerging from the hallways on the far side of the docking
bay.
INT. DEATH STAR - DOCKING BAY
Threepio and Artoo-Detoo are in the center of the Death Star's
Imperial docking bay.
THREEPIO
Come on, Artoo, we're going!
Threepio ducks out of sight as the seven stormtroopers who
were guarding the starship rush past them heading towards
Ben and The Sith Knight. He pulls on Artoo.
INT. DEATH STAR - HALLWAY
Solo, Chewie, Luke, and Leia tensely watch the duel. The
troops rush toward the battling knights.
HAN
Now's our chance! Go!
They start for the Millennium Falcon. Ben sees the troops
charging toward him and realizes that he is trapped. Vader
takes advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and brings
his mighty lightsaber down on the old man. Ben manages to
deflect the blow and swiftly turns around.
The old Jedi Knight looks over his shoulder at Luke, lifts
his sword from Vader's then watches his opponent with a serene
look on his face.
Vader brings his sword down, cutting old Ben in half. Ben's
cloak falls to the floor in two parts, but Ben is not in it.
Vader is puzzled at Ben's disappearance and pokes at the
empty cloak. As the guards are distracted, the adventurers
and the robots reach the starship. Luke sees Ben cut in two
and starts for him. Aghast, he yells out.
LUKE
No!
The stormtroopers turn toward Luke and begin firing at him.
The robots are already moving up the ramp into the Millennium
Falcon, while Luke, transfixed by anger and awe, returns
their fire. Solo joins in the laserfire. Vader looks up and
advances toward them, as one of his troopers is struck down.
HAN
(to Luke)
Come on!
LEIA
Come on! Luke, its too late!
HAN
Blast the door! Kid!
Luke fires his pistol at the door control panel, and it
explodes. The door begins to slide shut. Three troopers charge
forward firing laser bolts, as the door slides to a close
behind them, shutting Vader and the other troops out of the
docking bay. A stormtrooper lies dead at the feet of his
onrushing compatriots. Luke starts for the advancing troops,
as Solo and Leia move up the ramp into the pirateship. He
fires, hitting a stormtrooper, who crumbles to the floor.
BEN'S VOICE
Run, Luke! Run!
Luke looks around to see where the voice came from. He turns
toward the pirateship, ducking Imperial gunfire from the
troopers and races into the ship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Han pulls back on the controls and the ship begins to move.
The dull thud of laser bolts bouncing off the outside of the
ship as Chewie adjusts his controls.
HAN
I hope the old man got that tractor
beam out if commission, or this is
going to be a real short trip. Okay,
hit it!
Chewbacca growls in agreement.
EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON
The Millennium Falcon powers away from the Death Star docking
bay, makes a spectacular turn and disappears into the vastness
of space.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
Luke, saddened by the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi, stares off
blankly as the robots look on. Leia puts a blanket around
him protectively, and Luke turns and looks up at her. She
sits down beside him.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Solo spots approaching enemy ships.
HAN
(to Chewie)
We're coming up on the sentry ships.
Hold 'em off! Angle the deflector
shields while I charge up the main
guns!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CENTRAL HOLD AREA
Luke looks downward sadly, shaking his head back and forth,
as the princess smiles comfortingly at him.
LUKE
I can't believe he's gone.
Artoo-Detoo beeps a reply.
LEIA
There wasn't anything you could have
done.
Han rushes into the hold area where Luke is sitting with the
princess.
HAN
(to Luke)
Come on, buddy, we're not out of
this yet!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
Solo climbs into his attack position in the topside gunport.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA
Luke gets up and moves out toward the gunports as Leia heads
for the cockpit.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
Luke climbs down the ladder into the gunport cockpit, settling
into one of the two main laser cannons mounted in large
rotating turrets on either side of the ship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT
Han adjusts his headset as he sits before the controls of
his laser cannon, then speaks into the attached microphone.
HAN
(to Luke)
You in, kid? Okay, stay sharp!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS - COCKPIT
Chewbacca and Princess Leia search the heavens for attacking
TIE fighters. The Wookiee pulls back on the speed controls
as the ship bounces slightly.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - SOLO'S GUNPORT - COCKPIT
Computer graphic readouts form on Solo's target screen, as
Han reaches for controls.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT - COCKPIT
Luke sits in readiness for the attack, his hand on the laser
cannon's control button.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT.
Chewbacca spots the enemy ships and barks.
LEIA
(into intercom)
Here they come!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - POV (POINT OF VIEW) -
SPACE
The Imperial TIE fighters move towards the Millennium Falcon,
one each veering off to the left and right of the pirateship.
INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
The stars whip past behind the Imperial pilot as he adjusts
his maneuvering joy stick.
EXT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - IN SPACE
The TIE fighter races past the Falcon, firing laser beams as
it passes.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - HOLD AREA
Threepio is seated in the hold area, next to Artoo-Detoo.
The pirateship bounces and vibrates as the power goes out in
the room and then comes back on.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS
A TIE fighter maneuvers in front of Han, who follows it and
fires at it with the laser cannon. Luke does likewise, as
the fighter streaks into view. The ship has suffered a minor
hit, and bounces slightly.
EXT. SPACE
Two TIE fighters dive down toward the pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
Luke fires at an unseen fighter.
LUKE
They're coming in too fast!
EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON/TIE FIGHTERS
Pan with pirateship as two TIE fighters charge through the
background. Laserbolts streak from all the craft.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - CHEWBACCA
The ship shudders as a laserbolt hits very close to the
cockpit. The Wookiee chatters something to Leia.
EXT. TIE FIGHTER - SPACE
Full shot of a TIE fighter as it moves fast through the frame,
firing on the pirate starship.
EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTERS
The two TIE fighters fire a barrage of laserbeams at the
pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - MAIN PASSAGEWAY
A laserbolt streaks into the side of the pirateship. The
ship lurches violently, throwing poor Threepio into a cabinet
fill of small computer chips.
THREEPIO
Oooh!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT - GUNPORTS
Leia watches the computer readout as Chewbacca manipulates
the ship's controls.
LEIA
We've lost lateral controls.
HAN
Don't worry, she'll hold together.
An enemy laserbolt hits the pirateship's control panel,
causing it to blow out in a shower of sparks.
HAN
(to ship)
You hear me, baby? Hold together!
Artoo-Detoo advances toward the smoking sparking control
panel, dousing the inferno by spraying it with fire retardant
beeping all the while.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
Luke swivels in his gun mount, following the TIE fighter
with his laser cannon.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
Solo aims his laser cannon at the enemy fighter.
EXT. SPACE
A TIE fighter streaks in front of the starship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Leia watches the TIE fighter ship fly over.
EXT. SPACE
A TIE fighter heads right for the pirateship, then zooms
overhead.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
Luke follows the TIE fighter across his field of view, firing
laserbeams from his cannon.
EXT. TIE FIGHTER
A TIE fighter dives past the pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
Luke fires at a TIE fighter. At his port, Han follows a
fighter in his sights, releasing a blast of laserfire. He
connects, and the fighter explodes into fiery dust. Han laughs
victoriously.
EXT. SPACE
Two TIE fighters move toward and over the Millennium Falcon,
unleashing a barrage of laserbolts at the ship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
Another TIE fighter moves in on the pirateship and Luke,
smiling, fires the laser cannon at it, scoring a spectacular
direct hit.
LUKE
Got him! I got him!
Han turns and gives Luke a victory wave which Luke gleefully
returns.
HAN
Great kid! Don't get cocky.
Han turns back to his laser cannon.
EXT. SPACE
Two more TIE fighters cross in front of the pirateship.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
While Chewbacca manipulates the controls, Leia turns, looking
over her shoulder out the ports.
LEIA
There are still two more of them out
there!
EXT. SPACE
A TIE fighter moves up over the pirateship, firing laserblasts
at it.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
Luke and Han look into their respective projected target
screens. An Imperial fighter crosses Solo's port, and Han
swivels in his chair, following it with blasts from his laser
cannon. Another fighter crosses Luke's port, and he reacts
in a like manner, the glow of his target screen lighting his
face.
EXT. SPACE
The TIE fighter zooms toward the pirateship, firing
destructive blasts at it.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORTS
Luke fires a laserblast at the approaching enemy fighter,
and it bursts into a spectacular explosion. Luke's projected
screen gives a readout of the hit. The pirateship bounces
slightly as it is struck by the enemy fire.
EXT. SPACE - TIE FIGHTER
The last of the attacking Imperial TIE fighters looms in,
firing upon the Falcon.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - GUNPORT
Solo swivels behind his cannon, his aim describing the arc
of the TIE fighter. The fighter comes closer, firing at the
pirateship, but a well-aimed blast from Solo's laser cannon
hits the attacker, which blows up in a small atomic shower
of burning fragments.
LUKE
(laughing)
That's it! We did it!
The princess jumps up and gives Chewie a congratulatory hug.
LEIA
We did it!
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - PASSAGEWAY
Threepio lies on the floor of the ship, completely tangled
in the smoking, sparking wires.
THREEPIO
Help! I think I'm melting!
(to Artoo)
This is all your fault.
Artoo turns his dome from side to side, beeping in response.
EXT. SPACE - MILLENNIUM FALCON
The victorious Millennium Falcon moves off majestically
through space.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
Darth Vader strides into the control room, where Tarkin is
watching the huge view screen. A sea of stars is before him.
TARKIN
Are they away?
VADER
They have just made the jump into
hyperspace.
TARKIN
You're sure the homing beacon is
secure aboard their ship? I'm taking
an awful risk, Vader. This had better
work.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Han, removes his gloves and smiling, is at the controls of
the ship. Chewie moves into the aft section to check the
damage. Leia is seated near Han.
HAN
Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You
know, sometimes I even amaze myself.
LEIA
That doesn't sound too hard. Besides,
they let us go. It's the only
explanation for the ease of our
escape.
HAN
Easy... you call that easy?
LEIA
Their tracking us!
HAN
Not this ship, sister.
Frustrated, Leia shakes her head.
LEIA
At least the information in Artoo is
still intact.
HAN
What's so important? What's he
carrying?
LEIA
The technical readouts of that battle
station. I only hope that when the
data is analyzed, a weakness can be
found. It's not over yet!
HAN
It is for me, sister! Look, I ain't
in this for your revolution, and I'm
not in it for you, Princess. I expect
to be well paid. I'm in it for the
money!
LEIA
You needn't worry about your reward.
If money is all that you love, then
that's what you'll receive!
She angrily turns, and as she starts out of the cockpit,
passes Luke coming in.
LEIA
Your friend is quite a mercenary. I
wonder if he really cares about
anything... or anyone.
LUKE
I care!
Luke, shaking his head, sits in the copilot seat. He and Han
stare out at the vast blackness of space.
LUKE
So... what do you think of her, Han?
HAN
I'm trying not to, kid!
LUKE
(under his breath)
Good...
HAN
Still, she's got a lot of spirit. I
don't know, what do you think? Do
you think a princess and a guy like
me...
LUKE
No!
Luke says it with finality and looks away. Han smiles at
young Luke's jealousy.
EXT. SPACE AROUND FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN
The battered pirateship drifts into orbit around the planet
Yavin and proceeds to one of its tiny green moons.
EXT. FOURTH MOON OF YAVIN
The pirateship soars over the dense jungle.
EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST
An alert guard, his laser gun in hand, scans the countryside.
He sets the gun down and looks toward the temple, barely
visible in the foliage.
EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE TEMPLE
Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple
lies shrouded in an eerie mist. The air is heavy with the
fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Han, Luke and the
others are greeted by the Rebel troops.
Luke and the group ride into the massive temple on an armored
military speeder.
INT. MASSASSI - MAIN HANGAR DECK
The military speeder stops in a huge spaceship hangar, set
up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the
commander of the Rebel forces, rushes up to the group and
gives Leia a big hug. Every one is pleased to see her.
WILLARD
(holding Leia)
You're safe! We had feared the worst.
Willard composes himself, steps back and bows formally.
WILLARD
When we heard about Alderaan, we
were afraid that you were... lost
along with your father.
LEIA
We don't have time for our sorrows,
Commander. The battle station has
surely tracked us here.
(looking pointedly to
Han)
It's the only explanation for the
ease of our escape. You must use the
information in this R2 unit to plan
the attack. It is our only hope.
EXT. SPACE
The surface of the Death Star ominously approaches the red
planet Yavin.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader are interrupted in their
discussion by the buzz of the comlink. Tarkin moves to answer
the call.
TARKIN
Yes.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
We are approaching the planet Yavin. The Rebel base is on a
moon on the far side. We are preparing to orbit the planet.
EXT. YAVIN - JUNGLE
A lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape,
surveying the countryside. A mist hangs over the jungle of
twisted green.
INT. MASSASSI - WAR ROOM BRIEFING AREA
Dodonna stands before a large electronic wall display. Leia
and several other senators are to one side of the giant
readout. The low-ceilinged room is filled with starpilots,
navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone is
listening intently to what Dodonna is saying. Han and
Chewbacca are standing near the back.
DODONNA
The battle station is heavily shielded
and carries a firepower greater than
half the star fleet. It's defenses
are designed around a direct large-
scale assault. A small one-man fighter
should be able to penetrate the outer
defense.
Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties, stands
and addresses Dodonna.
GOLD LEADER
Pardon me for asking, sir, but what
good are snub fighters going to be
against that?
DODONNA
Well, the Empire doesn't consider a
small one-man fighter to be any
threat, or they'd have a tighter
defense. An analysis of the plans
provided by Princess Leia has
demonstrated a weakness in the battle
station.
Artoo-Detoo stands next to a similar robot, makes beeping
sounds, and turns his head from right to left.
DODONNA
The approach will not be easy. You
are required to maneuver straight
down this trench and skim the surface
to this point. The target area is
only two meters wide. It's a small
thermal exhaust port, right below
the main port. The shaft leads
directly to the reactor system. A
precise hit will start a chain
reaction which should destroy the
station.
A murmer of disbelief runs through the room.
DODONNA
Only a precise hit will set up a
chain reaction. The shaft is ray-
shielded, so you'll have to use proton
torpedoes.
Luke is sitting next to Wedge Antilles, a hotshot pilot about
sixteen years old.
WEDGE
That's impossible, even for a
computer.
LUKE
It's not impossible. I used to bull's-
eye womp rats in my T-sixteen back
home. They're not much bigger than
two meters.
DODONNA
Man your ships! And may the Force be
with you!
The group rises and begins to leave.
EXT. SPACE
The Death Star begins to move around the planet toward the
tiny green moon.
INT. DEATH STAR
Tarkin and Vader watch the computer projected screen with
interest, as a circle of lights intertwines around one another
on the screen showing it's position in relation to Yavin and
the forth moon.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity. The moon with the
Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.
VADER
This will be a day long remembered.
It has seen the end of Kenobi and it
will soon see the end of the
Rebellion.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR DECK
Luke, Threepio and little Artoo enter the huge spaceship
hangar and hurry along a long line of gleaming spacefighters.
Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and
unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this
activity Luke finds Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes
onto an armored speeder.
MAN'S VOICE
(over loudspeaker)
All flight trooper, man your stations.
All flight troops, man your stations.
Han is deliberately ignoring the activity of the fighter
pilots' preparation. Luke is quite saddened at the sight of
his friend's departure.
LUKE
So... you got your reward and you're
just leaving then?
HAN
That's right, yeah! I got some old
debts I've got to pay off with this
stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't
think I'd be fool enough to stick
around here, do you? Why don't you
come with us? You're pretty good in
a fight. I could use you.
LUKE
(getting angry)
Come on! Why don't you take a look
around? You know what's about to
happen, what they're up against.
They could use a good pilot like
you. You're turning your back on
them.
HAN
What good's a reward if you ain't
around to use it? Besides, attacking
that battle station ain't my idea of
courage. It's more like suicide.
LUKE
All right. Well, take care of
yourself, Han. I guess that's what
you're best at, isn't it?
Luke goes off and Han hesitates, then calls to him.
HAN
Hey, Luke... may the Force be with
you!
Luke turns and sees Han wink at him. Luke lifts his hand in
a small wave and then goes off.
Han turns to Chewie who growls at his captain,
HAN
What're you lookin' at? I know what
I'm doing.
INT. MAIN HANGAR DECK - LUKE'S SHIP
Luke, Leia, and Dodonna meet under a huge space fighter.
LEIA
What's wrong?
LUKE
Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really
thought he'd change his mind.
LEIA
He's got to follow his own path. No
one can choose it for him.
LUKE
I only wish Ben were here.
Leia gives Luke a little kiss, turns, and goes off. As Luke
heads for his ship, another pilot rushes up to him and grabs
his arm.
BIGGS
Luke! I don't believe it! How'd you
get here... are you going out with
us?!
LUKE
Biggs! Of course, I'll be up there
with you! Listen, have I got some
stories to tell...
Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, comes up
behind Luke and Biggs. He has the confident smile of a born
leader.
RED LEADER
Are you... Luke Skywalker? Have you
been checked out on the Incom T-sixty-
five?
BIGGS
Sir, Luke is the best bushpilot in
the outer rim territories.
Red Leader pats Luke on the back as they stop in front of
his fighter.
RED LEADER
I met your father once when I was
just a boy, he was a great pilot.
You'll do all right. If you've got
half of your father's skill, you'll
do better than all right.
LUKE
Thank you, sir. I'll try.
Red Leader hurries to his own ship.
BIGGS
I've got to get aboard. Listen, you'll
tell me your stories when we come
back. All right?
LUKE
I told you I'd make it someday, Biggs.
BIGGS
(going off)
You did, all right. It's going to be
like old times, Luke. We're a couple
of shooting stars that'll never be
stopped!
Luke laughs and shakes his head in agreement. He heads for
his ship.
As Luke begins to climb up the ladder into his sleek, deadly
spaceship, the crew chief, who is working on the craft, points
to little Artoo, who is being hoisted into a socket on the
back of the fighter.
CHIEF
This R2 unit of your seems a bit
beat up. Do you want a new one?
LUKE
Not on your life! That little droid
and I have been through a lot
together.
(to Artoo)
You okay, Artoo?
The crewmen lower Artoo-Detoo into the craft. Now a part of
the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeps
that he is fine.
Luke climbs up into the cockpit of his fighter and puts an
his helmet. Threepio looks on from the floor of the massive
hangar as the crewmen secure his little electronic partner
into Luke's X-wing. It's an emotional-filled moment as Artoo
beeps good-bye.
CHIEF
Okay, easy she goes!
THREEPIO
Hang on tight,Artoo, you've got to
come back.
Artoo beeps in agreement.
THREEPIO
You wouldn't want my life to get
boring, would you?
Artoo whistles his reply.
All final preparations are made for the approaching battle.
The hangar is buzzing with the last minute activity as the
pilots and crewmen alike make their final adjustments. The
hum of activity is occasionally trespassed by the distorted
voice of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses
are disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit
shields roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman,
holding red guiding lights, directs the ships. Luke, a trace
of a smile gracing his lips, peers about through his goggles.
BEN'S VOICE
Luke, the Force will be with you.
Luke is confused at the voice and taps his headphones.
EXT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - JUNGLE
All that can be seen of the fortress is a lone guard standing
on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The
muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this
eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering din of ion
rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage
in a tight formation and disappears into the morning cloud
cover.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
The princess, Threepio, and a field commander sit quietly
before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its
four moons. The red dot that represents the Death Star moves
ever closer to the system. A series of green dots appear
around the fourth moon. A din of indistinct chatter fills
the war room.
MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
Stand-by alert. Death Star
approaching. Estimated time to firing
range, fifteen minutes.
EXT. SPACE
The Death Star slowly moves behind the massive yellow surface
of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters flying
in formation zoom toward us and out of the frame.
EXT. SPACE - ANOTHER ANGLE
Light from a distant sun creates an eerie atmospheric glow
around a huge planet, Yavin. Rebel fighters flying in
formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly
pull away.
INT. RED LEADER STARSHIP - COCKPIT
Red Leader lowers his visor and adjusts his gun sights,
looking to each side at his wing men.
RED LEADER
All wings report in.
INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT
One of the Rebel fighters checks in through his mike.
RED TEN
Red Ten standing by.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
Biggs checks his fighter's controls, alert and ready for
combat.
RED SEVEN
(over Biggs' headset)
Red Seven standing by.
BIGGS
Red Three standing by.
INT. PORKINS' COCKPIT
PORKINS
Red Six standing by.
RED NINE
(over headset)
Red Nine standing by.
INT. WEDGE'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT
WEDGE
Red Two standing by.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
RED ELEVEN
(over headset)
Red Eleven standing by.
LUKE
Red Five standing by.
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Artoo-Detoo, in position outside of the fighter, turns his
head from side to side and makes beeping sounds.
INT. RED LEADER'S FIGHTER - COCKPIT
RED LEADER
Lock S-foils in attack position.
EXT. SPACE
The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the
Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the "X"
position.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
READ LEADER
(over headset)
We're passing through their magnetic
field.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
Hold tight!
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke adjusts his controls as he concentrates on the
approaching Death Star. The ship begins to be buffeted
slightly.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Switch your deflectors on.
INT. ANOTHER COCKPIT
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Double front!
EXT. SPACE
The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The
Death Star now appears to be a small moon growing rapidly in
size as the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the
metallic surface begin to become visible. A large dish antenna
is built into the surface on one side.
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
Wedge is amazed and slightly frightened at the awesome
spectacle.
WEDGE
Look at the size of that thing!
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Cut the chatter, Red Two.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
Accelerate to attack speed. This is
it, boys!
EXT. SPACE
As the fighters move closer to the Death Star, the awesome
size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress is revealed. Half
of the deadly space station is in shadow and this area
sparkles with thousands of small lights running in thin lines
and occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a
city at night as seen from a weather satellite.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S COCKPIT
GOLD LEADER
Red Leader, this is Gold Leader.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
I copy, Gold Leader.
GOLD LEADER
We're starting for the target shaft
now.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader looks around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming
in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bob back and forth in
the background. He moves his computer targeting device into
position.
RED LEADER
We're in position. I'm going to cut
across the axis and try and draw
their fire.
EXT. SPACE
Two squads of Rebel fighters peel off. The X-wings dive
towards the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glow across
the dark grey expanse of the huge station.
INT. DEATH STAR
Alarm sirens scream as soldiers scramble to large turbo-
powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate
the huge guns into position as crew adjust their targeting
devices.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Laserbolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel X-
wing fighters move in toward the Imperial base, as the Death
Star aims its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and
fires.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Princess Leia listens to the battle over the intercom.
Threepio is at her side.
WEDGE
(over war room speaker
system)
Heavy fire, boss! Twenty-degrees.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
I see it. Stay low.
EXT. SPACE
An X-wing zooms across the surface of the Death Star.
INT. DEATH STAR
Technical crews scurry here and there loading last-minute
armaments and unlocking power cables.
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
Wedge maneuvers his fighter toward the menacing Death Star.
EXT. SPACE
X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke nosedives radically, starting his attack on the monstrous
fortress. The Death Star surface streaks past the cockpit
window.
LUKE
This is Red Five; I'm going in!
EXT. SPACE
Luke's X-wing races toward the Death Star. Laserbolts streak
from Luke's weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on
the dim surface.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Terror crosses Luke's face as he realizes he won't be able
to pull out in time to avoid the fireball.
BIGGS
(over headset)
Luke, pull up!
EXT. SURFACE OF DEATH STAR
Luke's ship emerges from the fireball, with the leading edges
of his wings slightly scorched.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
BIGGS
Are you all right?
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke adjusts his controls and breathes a sigh of relief.
Flak bursts outside the cockpit window.
LUKE
I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star's surface
with laserbolts.
INT. DEATH STAR
Walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in
all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out of the rubble.
Standing in the middle of the chaos, a vision of calm and
foreboding, is Darth Vader. One of his Astro-Officers rushes
up to him.
ASTRO-OFFICER
We count thirty Rebel ships, Lord
Vader. But they're so small they're
evading our turbo-lasers!
VADER
We'll have to destroy them ship to
ship. Get the crews to their fighters.
INT. DEATH STAR
Smoke belches from the giant laser guns as they wind up their
turbine generators to create sufficient power. The crew rushes
about preparing for another blast. Even the troopers head
gear is not adequate to protect them from the overwhelming
noise of the monstrous weapon. One troopers bangs his helmet
with his hand in an attempt to stop the ringing.
INT. READ LEADER'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Red Leader flies through a heavy hail of flak.
RED LEADER
Luke, let me know when you're going
in.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
The Red Leader's X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose
down and starts his attack dive.
LUKE
I'm on my way in now...
RED LEADER
Watch yourself! There's a lot of
fire coming from the right side of
that deflection tower.
LUKE
I'm on it.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke flings his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon
and down onto the dim grey surface.
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING TRAVELING
A shot hurls from Luke's guns. Laserbolts streak toward the
onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements
erupt in flame. Laserfire erupts from a protruding tower on
the surface.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
The blurry Death Star surface races past the cockpit window
as a big smile sweeps across Luke's face at the success of
his run. Flak thunders on all sides of him.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
The Death Star superstructure races past Luke as he maneuvers
his craft through a wall of laserfire and peels away from
the surface towards the heavens.
INT. DEATH STAR
The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout
the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the smoke
and chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of
explosions.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Biggs dives through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and
gun towers as he shoots low across the Death Star surface. A
dense barrage of laserfire streaks by on all sides.
INT. DEATH STAR
Imperial star pilots dash in unison to a line of small
auxiliary hatches that lead to Imperial TIE fighters.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Princess Leia, surrounded by her generals and aides, paces
nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides
technicians work in front of many lighted glass walls. Dodonna
watches quietly from one corner. One of the officers working
over a screen speaks into his headset.
CONTROL OFFICER
Squad leaders, we've picked up a new
group of signals. Enemy fighters
coming your way.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Luke looks around to see if he can spot the approaching
Imperial fighters.
LUKE
My scope's negative. I don't see
anything.
INT. RED LEADER'S X-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
The Death Star's surface sweeps past as Red Leader searches
the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.
RED LEADER
Keep up your visual scanning. With
all this jamming, they'll be on top
of you before your scope can pick
them up.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon,
four ferocious Imperial TIE ships dive on the Rebel fighters.
Two of the TIE fighters peel off and drop out of frame. Pan
with the remaining two TIE ships.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Biggs panics when he discovers a TIE ship on his tail. The
horizon in the background twists around as he peels off,
hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
Biggs! You've picked one up... watch
it!
BIGGS
I can't see it! Where is he?!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Biggs zooms off the surface and into space, closely followed
by an Imperial TIE fighter. The TIE ship fires several
laserbolts at Biggs, but misses.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Biggs see the TIE ship behind him and swings around, trying
to avoid him.
BIGGS
He's on me tight, I can't shake him...
I can't shake him.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Biggs, flying at high altitude, peels off and dives toward
the Death Star surface, but he is unable to lose the TIE
fighter, who sticks close to his tail.
INT. X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Luke is flying upside down. He rotates his ship around to
normal attitude as he comes out of his dive.
LUKE
Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dive for the surface, now
followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dives out of
sight, Luke chases the Imperial fighter.
EXT. SURFACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
In the foreground, the Imperial fighter races across the
Death Star's surface, closely followed by Luke in the
background.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
There is a shot from Luke's X-wing of the TIE ship exploding
in a mass of flames.
LUKE
Got him!
INT. DEATH STAR
Darth Vader strides purposefully down a Death Star corridor,
flanked by Imperial stormtroopers.
VADER
Several fighters have broken off
from the main group. Come with me!
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
A concerned Princess Leia, Threepio, Dodonna, and other
officers of the Rebellion stand around the huge round readout
screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the
room's loudspeaker.
BIGGS
(over speaker)
Pull in! Luke... pull in!
WEDGE
(over speaker)
Watch your back, Luke!
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
WEDGE
(over headset)
Watch your back! Fighter's above
you, coming in!
EXT. SPACE
Luke's ship soars away from the Death Star's surface as he
spots the tailing TIE fighter.
INT. TIE FIGHTER'S COCKPIT
The TIE pilot takes aim at Luke's X-wing.
EXT. SPACE
The Imperial TIE fighter pilot scores a hit on Luke's ship.
Fire breaks out on the right side of the X-wing.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks out of his cockpit at the flames on his ship.
LUKE
I'm hit, but not bad.
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Smoke pours out from behind Artoo-Detoo.
LUKE'S VOICE
Artoo, see what you can do with it.
Hang on back there.
Green laserfire moves past the beeping little robot as his
head turns.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke nervously works his controls.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Red Six...
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
In the war room, Leia stands frozen as she listens and worries
about Luke.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Can you see Red Five?
RED TEN
(over speaker)
There's a heavy fire zone on this
side. Red Five, where are you?
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke spots the TIE fighter behind him and soars away from
the Death Star surface.
LUKE
I can't shake him!
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke's ship soars closer to the surface of the Death Star,
an Imperial TIE fighter closing in on him in hot pursuit.
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
The Death Star whips below Wedge.
WEDGE
I'm on him, Luke!
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
WEDGE
(over headset)
Hold on!
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Wedge dives across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE
fighter.
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
Wedge moves his X-wing in rapidly.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke reacts frantically.
LUKE
Blast it! Wedge where are you?
INT. TIE FIGHTER - COCKPIT
The fighter pilot watches Wedge's X-wing approach. Another X-
wing joins him, and both unleash a volley of laserfire on
the Imperial fighter.
EXT. SPACE
The TIE fighter explodes, filling the screen with white light.
Luke's ship can be seen far in the distance.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke looks about in relief.
LUKE
Thanks, Wedge.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia, Threepio, Dodonna and other Rebel officers are listening
to the Rebel Fighter's radio transmissions over the war room
intercom.
BIGGS
(over speaker)
Good shooting, Wedge!
GOLD LEADER
(over speaker)
Red Leader...
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Leader peels off and starts toward the long trenches at
the Death Star surface pole.
GOLD LEADER
This is Gold Leader. We're starting
out attack run.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Three Y-wing fighters of the Gold group dive out of the stars
toward the Death Star surface.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others are grouped around the screen, as
technicians move about attending to their duties.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
I copy, Gold Leader. Move into
position.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Three Imperial TIE ships in precise formation dive toward
the Death Star surface.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
whip past in the window above his head.
VADER
Stay in attack formation!
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Technicians are seated at the computer readout table.
GOLD LEADER
(over speaker)
The exhaust post is...
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
GOLD LEADER
...marked and locked in!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Gold Leader approaches the surface and pulls out to skim the
surface of the huge station. The ship moves into a deep
trench, firing laserbolts. The surface streaks past as
laserfire is returned by the Death Star.
INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT - TRAVELING
Gold Five is a pilot in his early fifties with a very battered
helmet that looks like it's been through many battles. He
looks around to see if enemy ships are near. His fighter is
buffeted by Imperial flak.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Leader races down the enormous trench that leads to the
exhaust port. Laserbolts blast toward him in increasing
numbers, occasionally exploding near the ship causing it to
bounce about.
GOLD LEADER
Switch power to front deflector
screens.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Three Y-wing skim the Death Star surface deep in the trench,
as laserbolts streak past on all sides.
EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
An exterior surface gun blazes away at the oncoming Rebel
fighters.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
GOLD LEADER
How many guns do you think, Gold
Five.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
GOLD FIVE
(over speaker)
I'd say about twenty guns. Some on
the surface, some on the towers.
Leia, Threepio, and the technicians view the projected target
screen, as red and blue target lights glow. The red target
near the center blinks on and off.
MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
(over speaker)
Death Star will be in range in five
minutes.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
The three Y-wing fighters race toward camera and zoom overhead
through a hail of laserfire.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Leader pulls his computer targeting device down in front
of his eye. Laserbolts continue to batter the Rebel craft.
GOLD LEADER
Switching to targeting computer.
INT. GOLD TWO'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Two, a younger pilot about Luke's age, pulls down his
targeting eye viewer and adjusts it. His ship shudders under
intense laser barrage.
GOLD TWO
Computer's locked. Getting a signal.
As the fighters begin to approach the target area, suddenly
all the laserfire stops. An eerie clam clings over the trench
as the surface whips past in a blur.
GOLD TWO
The guns... they've stopped!
EXT. GOLD FIVE'S COCKPIT
Gold Five looks behind him.
GOLD FIVE
Stabilize your read deflectors. Watch
for enemy fighters.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
GOLD LEADER
They've coming in! Three marks at
two ten.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Three Imperial TIE ships, Darth Vader in the center flanked
by two wingmen, dive in precise formation almost vertically
toward the Death Star surface.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Darth Vader calmly adjusts his control stick as the stars
zoom by.
VADER
I'll take them myself! Cover me!
WINGMAN'S VOICE
(over speaker)
Yes, sir.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Three TIE fighters zoom across the surface of the Death Star.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader lines up Gold Two in his targeting computer. Vader's
hands grip the control stick as he presses the button.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
The cockpit explodes around Gold Two. His head falls forward.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
As Gold Two's ship explodes, debris is flung out into space.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Leader looks over his shoulder at the scene.
EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
The three TIE fighters race along in the trench in a tight
formation.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Leader panics.
GOLD LEADER
(into mike)
I can't maneuver!
INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Five, the old veteran, trys to calm Gold Leader.
GOLD FIVE
Stay on target.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
The Death Star races by outside the cockpit window as he
adjusts his targeting device.
GOLD LEADER
We're too close.
INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
The older pilot remains calm.
GOLD FIVE
Stay on target!
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Now he's really panicked.
GOLD LEADER
Loosen up!
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader calmly adjusts his targeting computer and pushes the
fire button.
INT. GOLD LEADER'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Leader's ship is hit by Vader's laser.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Gold Leader explodes in a ball of flames, throwing debris in
all directions.
INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
Gold Five moves in on the exhaust port.
GOLD FIVE
Gold Five to Red Leader...
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks over his shoulder at the action outside of his
cockpit.
GOLD FIVE
(over headset)
Lost Tiree, lost Dutch.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
I copy, Gold Five.
INT. GOLD FIVE'S Y-WING - COCKPIT
GOLD FIVE
They came from behind...
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
One of the engines explodes on Gold Five's Y-wing fighter,
blazing out of control. He dives past the horizon toward the
Death Star's surface, passing a TIE fighter during his
descent. Gold Five, a veteran of countless campaigns, spins
toward his death.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks nervously about him at the explosive battle.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
Grant Moff Tarkin and a Chief Officer stand in the Death
Star's control room.
OFFICER
We've analyzed their attack, sir,
and there is a danger. Should I have
your ship standing by?
TARKIN
Evacuate? In out moment of triumph?
I think you overestimate their
chances!
Tarkin turns to the computer readout screen. Flames move
around the green disk at the center of the screen, as numbers
read across the bottom.
VOICE
(over speaker)
Rebel base, three minutes and closing.
INT. READ LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader looks over at his wingmen.
RED LEADER
Red Group, this is Red Leader.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Dodonna moves to the intercom as he fiddles with the computer
keys.
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Rendezvous at mark six point one.
WEDGE
(over speaker)
This is Red Two. Flying toward you.
BIGGS
(over speaker)
Red Three, standing by.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
DODONNA
(over headset)
Red Leader, this is Base One. Keep
half your group out of range for the
next run.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
RED LEADER'S VOICE
(over headset)
Copy, Base One. Luke, take Red Two
and Three. Hold up here and wait for
my signal... to start your run.
Luke nods his head.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge fly in formation
high above the Death Star's surface.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke peers out from his cockpit.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Two X-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red
Leader's X-wing drops down to the surface leading to the
exhaust port.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader looks around to watch for the TIE fighters. He
begins to perspire.
RED LEADER
This is it!
EXT. SPACE
Red Leader roams down the trench of the Death Star as lasers
streak across the black heavens.
EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
A huge remote-control laser cannon fires at the approaching
Rebel fighters.
EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
The Rebel fighters evade the Imperial laser blasts.
INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
Red Ten looks around for the Imperial fighters.
RED TEN
We should be able to see it by now.
EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the
Death Star streaks by, with Imperial laserfire shooting toward
them.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
Keep your eyes open for those
fighters!
INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
RED TEN
There's too much interference!
EXT. SPACE - DEATH STAR TRENCH
Three X-wing fighters move in formation down the Death Star
trench.
RED TEN'S VOICE
Red Five, can you see them from where
you are?
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks down at the Death Star surface below.
LUKE
No sign of any... wait!
INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
Red Ten looks up and sees the Imperial fighters.
LUKE
(over headset)
Coming in point three five.
RED TEN
I see them.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dive in a
tight formation. The sun reflects off their dominate solar
fins as they loop toward the Death Star's surface.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader pulls his targeting device in front of his eyes
and makes several adjustments.
RED LEADER
I'm in range.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Red Leader's X-wing moves up the Death Star trench.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
Target's coming up!
Red Leader looks at his computer target readout screen. He
then looks into his targeting device.
RED LEADER
Just hold them off for a few seconds.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader adjusts his control lever and dives on the X-wing
fighters.
VADER
Close up formation.
EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death
Star surface.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader lines up his target on the targeting device cross
hairs.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Vader and his wingmen zoom down the trench.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader rapidly approaches the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red
Twelve. Vader's laser cannon flashes below the view of the
front porthole. the X-wings show in the center of Vader's
computer screen.
EXT. SPACE
Red Twelve's X-wing fighter is hit by Vader's laserfire, and
it explodes into flames against the trench.
INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
Red Ten works at his controls furiously, trying to avoid
Vader's fighter behind him.
RED TEN: You'd better let her loose.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader is concentrating on his targeting device.
RED LEADER
Almost there!
INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT.
Red Ten panics.
RED TEN
I can't hold them!
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Vader and his wingmen whip through the trench in pursuit of
the Rebel fighters.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader cooly pushes the fire button on his control stick.
INT. RED TEN'S COCKPIT
Darth Vader's well-aimed laserfire proves to be unavoidable,
and strikes Red Ten's ship. Red Ten screams in anguish and
pain.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Red Ten's ship explodes and bursts into flames.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Grimly, Red Leader takes careful aim and watches his computer
targeting device, which shows the target lined up in the
cross hairs, and fires.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
RED LEADER
It's away!
INT. DEATH STAR
An armed Imperial stormtrooper is knocked to the floor from
the attack explosion. Other troopers scurrying about the
corridors are knocked against the wall and lose their balance.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.
RED NINE'S VOICE
(over speaker)
It's a hit!
RED LEADER
(over speaker)
Negative.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader looks back at the receding Death Star. Tiny
explosions are visible in the distance.
RED LEADER
Negative! It didn't go in. It just
impacted on the surface.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR - TIE FIGHTER
Darth Vader peels off in pursuit as Red Leader's X-wing passes
the Death Star horizon.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader swings his ship around for the next kill.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
LUKE
(over headset)
Red Leader, we're right above you.
Turn to point...
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke tries to spot Red Leader. He looks down at the Death
Star surface.
LUKE
...oh-five; we'll cover for you.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Stay there...
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
A wary Red Leader looks about nervously.
RED LEADER
...I just lost my starboard engine.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks excitedly toward Red Leader's X-wing.
RED LEADER
(over headset)
Get set to make your attack run.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader's gloved hands make contact with the control sticks,
and he presses their firing buttons.
INT. RED LEADER'S COCKPIT
Red Leader fights to gain control of his ship.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Laserbolts are flung from Vader's TIE fighter, connecting
with Red Leader's Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader buys it,
creating a tremendous explosion far below. He screams and is
destroyed.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks out the window of his X-wing at the explosion far
below. For the first time, he feels the helplessness of his
situation.
INT. DEATH STAR
Grand Moff Tarkin casts a sinister eye at the computer screen.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, one minute and closing.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Dodonna and Princess Leia, with Threepio beside them, listen
intently to the talk between the pilots. The room is grim
after Red Leader's death. Princess Leia nervously paces the
room.
LUKE
(over speaker)
Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up.
We're going in. We're going in full
throttle.
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
The horizon twists as Wedge begins to pull out.
WEDGE
Right with you, boss.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
The two X-wings peel off against a background of stars and
dive toward the Death Star.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
BIGGS
Luke, at that speed will you be able
to pull out in time?
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
LUKE
It'll be just like Beggar's Canyon
back home.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
The three X-wings move in, unleashing a barrage of laserfire.
Laserbolts are returned from the Death Star.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
Luke's lifelong friend struggles with his controls.
BIGGS
We'll stay back far enough to cover
you.
INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT
Flak and laserbolts flash outside Luke's cockpit window.
WEDGE
(over headset)
My scope shows the tower, but I can't
see the exhaust port! Are you sure
the computer can hit it?
EXT. DEATH STAR - GUN EMPLACEMENTS
The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotates as it shoots
laserbolts.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks around for the Imperial TIE fighters. He thinks
for a moment and then moves his targeting device into
position.
LUKE
Watch yourself! Increase speed full
throttle!
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
Wedge looks excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.
WEDGE
What about the tower?
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
LUKE
You worry about those fighters! I'll
worry about the tower!
EXT. DEATH STAR SURFACE
Luke's X-wing streaks through the trench, firing lasers.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke breaks into a nervous sweat as the laserfire is returned,
knicking one of his wings close to the engine.
LUKE
(to Artoo)
Artoo... that, that stabilizer's
broken loose again! See if you can't
lock it down!
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Artoo works to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushes by
in the background, making his delicate task seem even more
precarious.
EXT. DEATH STAR
Two laser cannons are firing on the Rebel fighters.
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
Wedge looks up and sees the TIE ships.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke's targeting device marks off the distance to the target.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Vader and his wingmen zoom closer.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader adjusts his controls and fires laserbolts at two X-
wings flying down the trench. He scores a direct hit on Wedge.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others are grouped around the computer board.
WEDGE
(over speaker)
I'm hit! I can't stay with you.
LUKE
(over speaker)
Get clear, Wedge.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
LUKE
You can't do any more good back there!
INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT
WEDGE
Sorry!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Wedge pulls his crippled X-wing back away from the battle.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader watches the escape but issues a command to his wingmen.
VADER
Let him go! Stay on the leader!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench; the three TIE fighters,
still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters. He is worried.
BIGGS
Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much
faster this time. I can't hold them!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
The three TIE fighters move ever closer, closing in on Luke
and Biggs.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks back anxiously at little Artoo.
LUKE
Artoo, try and increase the power!
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping Artoo-
Detoo struggles to increase the power, his dome turning from
side to side.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Stealthily, the TIE formation creeps closer.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader adjusts his control stick.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Luke looks into his targeting device. He moves it away for a
moment and ponders its use. He looks back into the computer
targeter.
BIGGS
(over headset)
Hurry up, Luke!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Vader and his wingmen race through the Death Star trench.
Biggs moves in to cover for Luke, but Vader gains on him.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
Biggs sees the TIE fighter aiming at him.
BIGGS
Wait!
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader squeezes the fire button on his controls.
INT. BIGGS' COCKPIT
Biggs' cockpit explodes around him, lighting him in red.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Biggs' ship bursts into a million flaming bits and scatters
across the surface.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others stare at the computer board.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING COCKPIT
Luke is stunned by Biggs' death. His eyes are watering, but
his anger is also growing.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
Grand Moff Tarkin watches the projected target screen with
satisfaction.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, thirty seconds and
closing.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader takes aim on Luke and talks to the wingmen.
VADER
I'm on the leader.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR - LUKE'S SHIP
Luke's ship streaks through the trench of the Death Star.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Princess Leia returns her general's worried and doubtful
glances with solid, grim determination. Threepio seems
nervous.
THREEPIO
Hang on, Artoo!
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke concentrates on his targeting device.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Three TIE fighters charge away down the trench toward Luke.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader's finger's curls around the control stick.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke adjusts the lens of his targeting device.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke's ship charges down the trench.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke lines up the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting
device's screen. He looks into the targeting device, then
starts at a voice he hears.
BEN'S VOICE
Use the Force, Luke.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
The Death Star trench zooms by.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke looks up, then starts to look back into the targeting
device. He has second thoughts.
BEN'S VOICE
Let go, Luke.
A grim determination sweeps across Luke's face as he closes
his eyes and starts to mumble Ben's training to himself.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke's fighter streaks through the trench.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
VADER
The Force is strong with this one!
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Vader follows Luke's X-wing down the trench.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke looks to the targeting device, then away as he hears
Ben's voice.
BEN'S VOICE
Luke, trust me.
Luke's hand reaches for the control panel and presses the
button. The targeting device moves away.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.
BASE VOICE
(over speaker)
His computer's off. Luke, you switched
off your targeting computer. What's
wrong?
LUKE
(over speaker)
Nothing. I'm all right.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke's ship streaks ever close to the exhaust port.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING - COCKPIT
Luke looks at the Death Star surface streaking by.
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Artoo-Detoo turns his head from side to side, beeping in
anticipation.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen,
follow Luke's X-wing down the trench.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader maneuvers his controls as he looks at his doomed target.
He presses the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laserfire
shoots toward Luke's X-wing fighter.
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
A large burst of Vader's laserfire engulfs Artoo. The arms
go limp on the smoking little droid as he makes a high-pitched
sound.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks frantically back over his shoulder at Artoo.
EXT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER
Smoke billows out around little Artoo and sparks begin to
fly.
LUKE
I've lost Artoo!
Artoo's beeping sounds die out.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others stare intently at the projected screen,
while Threepio watches the Princess. Lights representing the
Death Star and targets glow brightly.
MASSASSI INTERCOM VOICE
The Death Star has cleared the planet.
The Death Star has cleared the planet.
INT. DEATH STAR - CONTROL ROOM
Tarkin glares at the projected target screen.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Rebel base, in range.
TARKIN
You may fire when ready.
DEATH STAR INTERCOM VOICE
Commence primary ignition.
An officer reaches up and pushes buttons on the control panel,
as green lighted buttons turn to red.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
The three TIE fighters zoom down the Death Star trench in
pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation.
INT. LUKE'S COCKPIT
Luke looks anxiously at the exhaust port.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader adjusts his control sticks, checking his projected
targeting screen.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke's ship barrels down the trench.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader's targeting computer swings around into position. Vader
takes careful aim on Luke's X-wing fighter.
VADER
I have you now.
He pushes the fire buttons.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
The three TIE fighters move in on Luke. As Vader's center
fighter unleashes a volley of laserfire, one of the TIE ships
at his side is hit and explodes into flame. The two remaining
ships continue to move in.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks about, wondering whose laserfire destroyed Vader's
wingman.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader is taken by surprise, and looks out from his cockpit.
VADER
What?
INT. DARTH VADER'S WINGMAN - COCKPIT
Vader's wingman searches around him trying to locate the
unknown attacker.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Han and Chewbacca grin from ear to ear.
HAN
(yelling)
Yahoo!
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
The Millennium Falcon heads right at the two TIE fighters.
It's a collision course.
INT. WINGMAN'S COCKPIT
The wingman spots the pirateship coming at him and warns the
Dark Lord.
WINGMAN
Look out!
EXT. DEATH STAR TRENCH
Vader's wingman panics at the sight of the oncoming pirate
starship and veers radically to one side, colliding with
Vader's TIE fighter in the process. Vader's wingman crashes
into the side wall of the trench and explodes. Vader's damaged
ship spins out of the trench with a damaged wing.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Vader's ship spins out of control with a bent solar fin,
heading for deep space.
INT. DARTH VADER'S COCKPIT
Vader turns round and round in circles as his ship spins
into space.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Solo's ship moves in toward the Death Star trench.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
Solo, smiling, speaks to Luke over his headset mike.
HAN
(into mike)
You're all clear, kid.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - WAR ROOM
Leia and the others listen to Solo's transmission.
HAN
(over speaker)
Now let's blow this thing and go
home!
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke looks up and smiles. He concentrates on the exhaust
port, then fires his laser torpedoes.
EXT. SURFACE OF THE DEATH STAR
Luke's torpedoes shoot toward the port and seems to simply
disappear into the surface and not explode. But the shots do
find their mark and have gone into the exhaust port and are
heading for the main reactor.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke throws his head back in relief.
INT. DEATH STAR
An Imperial soldier runs to the control panel board and pulls
the attack lever as the board behind him lights up.
INTERCOM VOICE
Stand by to fire at Rebel base.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
Two X-wings, a Y-wing, and the pirateship race toward Yavin
in the distance.
INT. DEATH STAR
Several Imperial soldiers, flanking a pensive Grand Moff
Tarkin, busily push control levers and buttons.
INTERCOM VOICE
Standing by.
The rumble of a distant explosion begins.
EXT. SPACE AROUND THE DEATH STAR
The Rebel ships race out of sight, leaving the moon-like
Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small
flashes appear on the surface. The Death Star bursts into a
supernova, creating a spectacular heavenly display.
INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON - COCKPIT
HAN
Great shot, kid. That was one in a
million.
INT. LUKE'S X-WING FIGHTER - COCKPIT
Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.
BEN'S VOICE
Remember, the Force will be with
you... always.
The ship rocks back and forth.
EXT. DARTH VADER'S TIE FIGHTER
Vader's ship spins off into space.
EXT. SPACE
The Rebel ships race toward the fourth moon of Yavin.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN HANGAR
Luke climbs out of his starship fighter and is cheered by a
throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbs down the ladder
as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting.
Princess Leia rushes toward him.
LEIA
Luke! Luke! Luke!
She throws her arms around Luke and hugs him as they dance
around in a circle. Solo runs in toward Luke and they embrace
one another, slapping each other on the back.
HAN
(laughing)
Hey! Hey!
LUKE
(laughing)
I knew you'd come back! I just knew
it!
HAN
Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all
the credit and take all the reward.
Luke and Han look at one another, as Solo playfully shoves
at Luke's face. Leia moves in between them.
LEIA
(laughing)
Hey, I knew there was more to you
than money.
Luke looks toward the ship.
LUKE
Oh, no!
The fried little Artoo-Detoo is lifted off the back of the
fighter and carried off under the worried eyes of Threepio.
THREEPIO
Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say
something!
(to mechanic)
You can repair him, can't you?
TECHNICIAN
We'll get to work on him right away.
THREEPIO
You must repair him! Sir, if any of
my circuits or gears will help, I'll
gladly donate them.
LUKE
He'll be all right.
INT. MASSASSI OUTPOST - MAIN THRONE ROOM
Luke, Han, and Chewbacca enter the huge ruins of the main
temple. Hundreds of troops are lined up in neat rows. Banners
are flying and at the far end stands a vision in white, the
beautiful young Senator Leia. Luke and the others solemnly
march up the long aisle and kneel before Senator Leia. From
one side of the temple marches a shined-up and fully repaired
Artoo-Detoo. He waddles up to the group and stands next to
an equally pristine Threepio, who is rather awestruck by the
whole event. Chewbacca is confused. Dodonna and several other
dignitaries sit on the left of the Princess Leia. Leia is
dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful.
She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He
winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who
is moved by the event. They turn and face the assembled
troops, who all bow before them. Chewbacca growls and Artoo
beeps with happiness.
FADE OUT:
END CREDITS OVER STARS
THE END